On Monday, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Chicago and Young Invincibles announced the filing of the Mental Health Early Action on Campus Appropriations Act, vital new legislation to fund mental health supports for Illinois’ college students. HB5424 was filed Friday in the Illinois State House by State Representative La Shawn K. Ford, who has been a leader and advocate for struggling students across the state. Companion legislation, SB4055, was filed by State Senator Celina Villanueva in the Illinois State Senate, who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving higher education services. NAMI Chicago and Young Invincibles are championing this legislation as part of a longtime advocacy campaign for campus mental health services. HB5424/SB4055 would appropriate $19 million in Illinois’ 2023 fiscal year to fully fund the 2019 Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act (MHEACA), which required all public two- and four-year colleges and universities to support the mental health of students by:

• Increasing training and awareness among faculty, staff, and students;

• Building better mental health screening to better identify students in need;

• Improving capacity to provide mental health treatment and peer support on campus; and

• creating a statewide Technical Assistance Center to assist in implementation and quality assurance.

One third of all college students have been diagnosed with a mental health condition –  a 14 percent increase in the last decade – yet only 25 percent of college students receive treatment despite serious implications. Research shows that graduation rates are lower for students with mental health conditions, especially for Black, Latinx, and low income students and dropout rates are 2.5x higher. Additionally, 89 percent of college students reported stress or anxiety due to COVID-19 in the Fall of 2020.