Inadequate Mental Health Services in Public Schools

By: Jennifer Santanero

For many youth, including me, high school can already be one of the most challenging times, not only educationally but emotionally. During my time in high school, I faced one of the most emotionally challenging moments of my life. As I was distraught, confused, and overwhelmed with these feelings I had never felt before, I sought out care and guidance from my school to find out that my English teacher led a group therapy circle during her free period. Given that nurses and counselors are often the first to go when budget cuts are made in public education, my school didn’t have a designated mental health counselor, and so there were no real mental health services for me to access. This creates a pressing issue. When counselors are the first to leave, the responsibility does not leave with them; rather, it shifts onto teachers who are not trained to perform mental health services on top of their busy schedules.

Teachers already play a major role in a student's education, and when we ask them to serve as mental health professionals, it doesn't necessarily help students; instead, it disrupts their learning and hinders their emotional well-being. To solve this crisis, we need to provide public schools with adequate resources and funding to support our highest-needs students with on-site therapists or psychologists. Additionally, we need to provide students with safe spaces where they can easily access mental health services. As it is already increasingly difficult for students to seek mental health access, it is important to hold a space where students can come in and feel they are being welcomed and heard. With adequate funding, these spaces can serve as an escape from the stress of school and personal/family issues. When we fund schools, we protect students and the jobs that are transformative for children in public education.