FEASIBILITY STUDY ON CONDUCT OF PILOT PROGRAM ON MENTAL HEALTH READINESS OF PART-TIME MEMBERS OF THE RESERVE COMPONENTS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

SEC. 732. FEASIBILITY STUDY ON CONDUCT OF PILOT PROGRAM ON MENTAL HEALTH READINESS OF PART-TIME MEMBERS OF THE RESERVE COMPONENTS OF THE ARMED FORCES. (a) In General.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall conduct a feasibility study and cost estimate for a pilot program that uses predictive analytics and screening to identify mental health risk and provide early, targeted intervention for part-time members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces to improve readiness and mission success. (b) Elements.—The feasibility study conducted under subsection (a) shall include elements to assess the following with respect to the pilot program studied under such subsection: (1) The anticipated improvement in quality of behavioral health services for part-time members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces and the impact of such improvement in quality of behavioral health services on their families and employers. (2) The anticipated impact on the culture surrounding behavioral health treatment and help-seeking behavior. (3) The feasibility of embedding mental health professionals with units that— (A) perform core mission sets and capabilities; and (B) carry out high-risk and high-demand missions. (4) The particular preventative mental health needs of units at different states of their operational readiness cycle. (5) The need for additional personnel of the Department of Defense to implement the pilot program. (6) The cost of implementing the pilot program throughout the reserve components of the Armed Forces. (7) The benefits of an integrated operational support team for the Air National Guard and Army National Guard units. (c) Comparison to Full-time Members of Reserve Components.—As part of the feasibility study conducted under subsection (a), the Secretary shall assess the mental health risk of part-time members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces as compared to full-time members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces. (d) Use of Existing Models.—In conducting the feasibility study under subsection (a), the Secretary, to the extent practicable, shall make use of existing models for preventative mental health care.