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Key Takeaways

This continues the ongoing trend of increased awareness and support for the mental health of Americans and especially children, who have faced unique struggles over the last two and a half years. Research shows that an estimated 25% of adolescents have dealt with periods of depression since the beginning of the pandemic. Since 2020, rates of mental health issues have increased and remained high amongst children.

Building a Better Mental Health Pipeline

TheDepartment of Educationannounced $280 million in funding in the form of two grant programs for which they’ll be accepting applications. The grant programs are geared toward boosting the number of credentialed mental health service providers in schools and training new providers to increase the supply of school-based mental health professionals.

Given the ongoing mental health crisis, professionals in this field have beenoverworked and overbooked, making it all the more important that investments are made in shaping a new generation of mental health service providers who can help bolster the ranks.

Expanding Pediatric Mental Health Care

Simultaneously, theDepartment of Health and Human Servicesannounced awards of nearly $27 million to help strengthen mental healthcare for children in both hospitals and schools. More than half that money will be awarded as part of the Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program to help expand the availability of school- and emergency room-based providers to help children in need.

“There should be no wrong door when it comes to children accessing the vital mental health services they need,” said Carole Johnson, Administrator for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). “For that to happen, we need to support pediatricians and other health care providers in recognizing and treating mental health conditions.”

There should be no wrong door when it comes to children accessing the vital mental health services they need.—CAROLE JOHNSON, HRSA ADMINISTRATOR

There should be no wrong door when it comes to children accessing the vital mental health services they need.

—CAROLE JOHNSON, HRSA ADMINISTRATOR

“We are doubling down to invest in strengthening children’s mental health services in hospitals and schools,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Beccerra. “Our children are our future and they deserve expanded access to care.”

A Generation in Crisis

Nearly 90% of parents have either let their child take a mental health day or would consider it.A number of stateshave passed legislation allowing mental health days as a valid excuse for a school absence.

Simply taking a mental health day, however, is not always enough. Consistent and ongoing mental health support is needed in schools where kids spend most of their day. It is also what is often stressing them out the most.

“We know children and youth can’t do their best learning when they’re experiencing depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges,” Cardona said.

What This Means For YouThe benefits of this new funding may not be felt for some time, but this is only the latest in a series of collective efforts geared toward improving the ways in which we support our kids' mental health.If you’re concerned about your child’s mental health, research the resources that may be available in your school district and learn more abouthow to talk to your childrenif you think they may be struggling.

What This Means For You

The benefits of this new funding may not be felt for some time, but this is only the latest in a series of collective efforts geared toward improving the ways in which we support our kids' mental health.If you’re concerned about your child’s mental health, research the resources that may be available in your school district and learn more abouthow to talk to your childrenif you think they may be struggling.

The benefits of this new funding may not be felt for some time, but this is only the latest in a series of collective efforts geared toward improving the ways in which we support our kids' mental health.

If you’re concerned about your child’s mental health, research the resources that may be available in your school district and learn more abouthow to talk to your childrenif you think they may be struggling.

1 SourceVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Racine N, McArthur BA, Cooke JE, Eirich R, Zhu J, Madigan S.Global prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents during covid-19: a meta-analysis.JAMA Pediatr. 2021;175(11):1142-1150. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.2482

1 Source

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Racine N, McArthur BA, Cooke JE, Eirich R, Zhu J, Madigan S.Global prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents during covid-19: a meta-analysis.JAMA Pediatr. 2021;175(11):1142-1150. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.2482

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Racine N, McArthur BA, Cooke JE, Eirich R, Zhu J, Madigan S.Global prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents during covid-19: a meta-analysis.JAMA Pediatr. 2021;175(11):1142-1150. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.2482

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