On October 17, the Biden administration announced a $70 million investment to expand school-based mental health services, focusing on underserved communities. The funds aim to help train and hire mental health professionals in schools across the country.
Why it matters: The initiative comes as student mental health challenges, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and social media, remain at an all-time high.
- According to the World Health Organization, 14% of adolescents globally experience mental health conditions, yet many remain untreated. In the U.S., suicide is the third leading cause of death among young adults aged 15-29.
The big picture: This investment follows the $571 million already allocated through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) and builds on the administration’s effort to double the number of school-based mental health professionals across the nation.
Zoom in: In Georgia, where Sec. Cardona announced the new funding, several school districts—including Gwinnett, Fulton, Bibb, and Muscogee—will benefit from the funding. Gwinnett County Public Schools, the state’s largest district, is receiving $19 million over five years for two mental health initiatives, including telehealth services and partnerships with Georgia universities to create a pipeline of school counselors, social workers, and psychologists. [The Atlanta Journal Constitution, subscription required]
By the numbers: The American School Counselor Association recommends one counselor per 250 students, but the national average is 385 students per counselor.
What’s next: The $70 million will help train and hire an additional 4,000 mental health professionals across the country, strengthening the pipeline for future support, particularly in high-need schools.
