U.S. DOE expands access to school-based mental health services

The U.S. Department of Education recently rolled out three actions that expand access to school-based mental health services. They are:

• Nearly doubling the amount of funding available in the current Fiscal Year for the School-Based Mental Health (SBMH) and the Mental Health Service Professional (MHSP) grant programs—and giving states, school districts and institutions of higher education additional time to apply

• Releasing additional Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) funding to improve the mental health and well-being of students and educators

• Providing additional trainings and resources for youth mental health through Departments of Education and Health and Human Services Technical Assistance Centers

“We know students are more likely to access mental health support if it’s offered in schools,” Education Secretary Dr. Miguel A. Cardona said in a press release. “By nearly doubling funds this year for school-based mental health professionals, releasing additional funds to help advance a variety of mental health strategies and providing additional training and resources, we are raising the bar for student well-being across the country.”