The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is launching an initiative to increase the number of mental health professionals available to students nationwide. The department is currently accepting applications for the School-Based Mental Health and Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration grant, aiming to improve school-based mental health services.
According to an ED news release, this initiative forms part of President Biden’s Unity Agenda, which advocates for integrating mental health services into school systems. The objective is to alleviate some of the burden schools encounter when students require the assistance of mental health professionals.
"Youth mental health needs have reached a crisis point, and help is available in our public schools," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. "The grant competitions that the Department is opening today will build on the Biden-Harris Administration’s progress in providing vital mental health support in our schools, help schools grow a pipeline of mental health professionals, and raise the bar in meeting students’ holistic needs. Most importantly, the funds provided through these grant programs will change students’ lives by making it easier for them to access critical services."
This measure aligns strategically with the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, as per the news release. Both this act and another measure, namely the National Mental Health Strategy, are scheduled to receive $38 million each for the 2024 fiscal year.
The news release further states that mental health challenges among school students were already escalating before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Research has shown that students are more likely to benefit from mental health services if they are delivered within a school setting. The aim of this funding is to lay a foundation that will enable the development of mental health services within schools across America.
Educational agencies will collaborate with colleges to offer training to school-based mental health service providers, says the news release. Additionally, these grants will advocate for treatment in communities that have been underserved by increasing the number of mental health professionals from diverse backgrounds.
