unitymatters

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. public schools have reported an increase in student mental health concerns, with nearly 70% noting an increase in service demand and over 75% observing signs of depression and trauma. Despite growing concerns, almost half of public schools believe they lack sufficient resources to meet students’ mental health needs. In response, Representative Becca Balint introduced the Peer Mental Health Act of 2025. The act proposes federal grants for schools to implement Peer Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, peer-led programs that equip students to recognize and respond to mental health issues, reduce stigma, and promote early intervention.

Supporters of the bill point to numerous studies identifying the advantages of MHFA including improved mental health literacy, reduced stigma, and improved student well-being, especially among students with lower mental health scores. The peer-led design promotes trust and early recognition among classmates, easing the burden on school staff and enhancing referral pathways.

However, critics argue that MHFA’s effectiveness is not consistently supported by data. Some studies show limited long-term impact or unclear behavioral outcomes, raising concerns about whether additional federal investment is justified. Further concerns include insufficient federal funding, a shortage of mental health professionals, and the strain on already burnt-out teachers who would oversee implementation.

What do you think of MHFA? Do you think this bill should be implemented in schools nationwide? What barriers might prove the most challenging in implementing this program?

With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), there has been a dramatic rise in data center construction. However, this high demand for AI comes with a steep environmental cost, particularly for water consumption. Water is used at data centers to manufacture IT equipment, cool machinery, and generate electricity. These practices can consume millions of gallons of water daily, prompting both national and international legislation on transparency and sustainability.

On the other hand, some are hesitant to enforce regulation. Data centers provide substantial economic benefits, including job creation, tax revenue, and technological advancement. Critics argue that imposing strict environmental regulations could lessen these benefits by increasing operational costs and potentially driving companies overseas. Others are concerned that well-intentioned limits on water use might unintentionally lead to riskier cooling methods that rely on more energy-intensive processes.

However, water scarcity is a growing global threat, and data centers are becoming central to this dilemma. Excessive water withdrawals can disrupt local ecosystems and economies. Supporters of regulation highlight how policy can encourage innovation in closed-loop systems and free-air cooling to reduce freshwater dependence.

What are your thoughts on AI’s water consumption? Do you think that there should be more regulation? Or, do you think the future benefits and promises of AI outweigh the environmental costs?

Geothermal energy is the use of underground heat to produce electricity and currently contributes a small, yet growing, portion of U.S. energy generation. The United States is the top geothermal energy producer in the world, and the Trump Administration has announced plans to increase investments in geothermal energy.

Geothermal power plants are considered helpful in the fight against climate change as they are a renewable energy source, have low levels of pollution, and have significant room for growth in the U.S. However, there are concerns over its efficiency, lack of space for new energy plants, and high upfront costs.

Geothermal energy has strong bipartisan support, and has been considered a “middle ground” in the intense energy debate. Recently, President Trump signed an executive order declaring a “National Energy Emergency” which would expedite domestic energy and energy infrastructure production. Although Trump’s tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico will harm the production of wind and solar energy, geothermal energy will likely remain unaffected.

What are your thoughts on geothermal energy? Do the benefits of geothermal energy plants outweigh the costs?

Healthcare systems are increasingly integrating the use of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) to store and manage patient health information and history. As hospitals adopt the new technology, the use of AI to manage these datasets and identify patterns for treatment plans is also on the rise, but not without debate.

Supporters of AI in EHRs argue that AI improves efficiency in diagnostic accuracy, reduces inequities, and reduces physician burnout. However, critics raise concerns over privacy of patients, informed consent, and data bias against marginalized communities. As bills such as H.R. 238 increase the clinical authority of AI, it is important to have discussions surrounding the ethical, practical, and legal implications of AI’s future role in healthcare.

I’d love to hear what this community thinks. Should AI be implemented with EHRs? Or do you think the concerns surrounding patient outcomes and privacy outweigh the benefits?

Can voluntary reporting by tech companies actually lead to meaningful environmental change, or does it require mandatory regulation to be effective? Additionally, could this type of legislation set a precedent for holding the broader tech industry accountable for its ecological footprint?

https://ace-usa.org/blog/research/research-technology/pros-and-cons-of-s-b-3732-the-artificial-intelligence-environmental-impacts-act/

This article explores NATO's history, key successes like its Cold War role and modern security efforts, and ongoing challenges, including internal conflicts and debates over democratic standards. Can NATO adapt to evolving global threats? How should it handle democratic backsliding among members?

This article explores the successes and challenges of the BRICS alliance, including its efforts to empower the Global South through initiatives like the New Development Bank and its struggle to reduce dependence on the U.S. dollar. Internal disagreements and limited global economic influence hinder its cohesion. Can BRICS truly rival Western institutions? Does expanding its membership risk further fragmentation?

Are there any real-world examples where encryption backdoors have been successfully used without compromising cybersecurity? How do different governments and tech companies approach this issue, and what are the implications for global digital security?

"From the 1790 Nationality Act to the reforms of 1965, U.S. immigration policy has evolved—from prioritizing European immigrants to a more inclusive approach. Since then, the foreign-born population has quadrupled, reflecting greater diversity.

How do past immigration policies still impact the U.S. today? What challenges do we face in creating fair and inclusive immigration policies?

https://ace-usa.org/blog/research/research-immigration/key-policies-in-the-history-of-u-s-immigration/

Abortion access has been a complex and evolving issue in the U.S., from the days of restrictive laws in the 1800s to the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, and now with current debates and recent laws either restricting or protecting access across states. The impact of restrictive laws—like the Texas Heartbeat Act or Florida’s 15-week ban—on women’s health and socioeconomic equality has been profound, especially for those of lower socioeconomic status and women of color, who face higher rates of unintended pregnancies. Meanwhile, states like California and New Jersey have taken steps to protect abortion rights and expand access.

Considering this, what are your thoughts on how different states approach this issue? How do you think these changes affect women’s rights and health? What are your views on the social or economic impacts of these laws?

https://ace-usa.org/blog/research/research-publichealth/abortion-history-and-access-in-the-us/

The Protecting Our Democracy Act (PODA) is back in Congress, aiming to curb executive power, increase transparency, and reduce foreign influence in U.S. elections. It promises tighter oversight of presidential powers, enhanced protections for whistleblowers, and new rules to keep foreign money out of our elections. Supporters say it’s essential to prevent corruption and restore the balance of power, while critics argue it could disrupt the separation of powers and slow government efficiency.

Where do you stand? Should Congress take more control to prevent executive overreach, or does this bill risk tilting too far?