Young offers bipartisan bill to bolster school-based mental health providers

U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) on March 24 signed on as the lead original cosponsor of a bipartisan bill that would establish the Mental Health Excellence in Schools Program to increase the recruitment and retention of school-based mental health services providers.

“Access to critical mental health resources in schools is important for the safety, well-being and academic performance of Hoosier students,” Sen. Young said. 

If enacted, the Mental Health Excellence in Schools Act, S. 3927, which is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), would create a program for the U.S. Department of Education to partner with eligible graduate institutions to cover up to the full cost of school-based mental health graduate programs for students at eligible institutions, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Young’s office.

Specifically, S. 3927 aims to boost the pipeline of graduate students trained to become school psychologists, counselors and social workers responding to the youth mental health crisis that has worsened due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the summary says. 

“The Mental Health Excellence in Schools Act will help address the severe shortage of mental health professionals by partnering with graduate schools to increase education and participation in the school-based mental health workforce,” Sen. Young added.

The National Association of School Psychologists, which supports the measure, recommends a ratio of one school psychologist per 500 students, but estimates that the current national average ratio is roughly one school psychologist per 1,211 students, with wide variation among states.

“The pandemic put a spotlight on just how many students across New Hampshire and the nation struggle with isolation, depression and mental health challenges,” said Sen. Shaheen. “We need mental health professionals in schools equipped to counsel students and help them heal from trauma.”

S. 3927 is companion legislation to the bipartisan Mental Health in Schools Excellence Program Act of 2021, H.R. 4198, which was introduced in June 2021 by U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ).