Community Mental Wellness Worker Training Act

The Community Mental Wellness Worker Training Act authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to community behavioral health clinics, mental health centers, and hospitals to train and certify new workers in providing basic mental health screening and counseling. These trained workers would assist individuals with mild to moderate conditions, such as depression or anxiety, by delivering evidence-based interventions that are culturally and linguistically competent. The bill prioritizes funding for entities located in areas with high poverty, unemployment, substance use rates, or significant numbers of dual Medicare-Medicaid beneficiaries. Additionally, the legislation provides legal protections against malpractice suits for participating staff and requires the Secretary to submit interim and final reports to Congress on the number of workers trained and certified through the program.