Senator Young, colleagues reintroduce legislation to address shortage of mental health providers in schools

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) reintroduced the Mental Health Excellence in Schools Act to address the shortage of mental health providers in schools by boosting the pipeline of graduate students trained to become school psychologists, counselors, and social workers.

“Access to mental health resources improves the safety, well-being, and academic success of Hoosier students,” said Senator Young. “Our bill will both support the school-based mental health workforce and address the critical need for these professionals.”

“Folks in New Hampshire and across the country know we’re facing a nationwide youth mental health crisis – and having a sufficient number of mental health professionals in schools, meeting kids where they are, improves the well-being, academic performance and life outcomes of all students,” said Senator Shaheen. “Our bipartisan legislation will provide the resources and support we need to bolster the mental health professional workforce pipeline to ensure more students have this support when they need it.”

“Like so many fields across the state, there simply aren’t enough school-based mental health professionals. Ensuring our kids’ well-being and academic success should be our first priority,” said Senator Cramer. “Our bill will alleviate the financial strain of earning a graduate degree by encouraging more practitioners to work in schools across the state.”

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) recommends a ratio of one school psychologist per 500 students. However, the national average ratio is estimated to be approximately one school psychologist per 1,200 students, with wide variation among states. To help address this issue, the Mental Health Excellence in Schools Act seeks to increase the recruitment and retention of mental health services providers in schools.

Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1) and Jared Golden (D-ME-2) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) is proud to support the reintroduction of the Mental Health in Schools Excellence Program Act and deeply appreciate the bipartisan leadership of Representatives Fitzpatrick and Golden and Senators Cramer, Shaheen, and Young,” said Dr. Peter Faustino, NASP President. "Their continued commitment to student mental health reflects a growing recognition in Congress that schools play an essential role in ensuring the wellbeing and success of all children. This legislation is a needed step toward addressing critical workforce shortages, expanding access to comprehensive school-based mental health services—especially for students in underserved communities—and ensuring that every child has the support they need to thrive."

"As a practicing school psychologist, I see firsthand every day how urgently students need access to high-quality mental and behavioral health services where they can easily access them, in school," said Dr. Julia Szarko, chair of NASP’s Professional Policy, Advocacy, & Credentialing Committee. "That’s why I’m so grateful to Representatives Fitzpatrick and Golden and Senators Cramer, Shaheen, and Young for their leadership in reintroducing this important legislation. The Mental Health in Schools Excellence Program Act strengthens the school-based mental health workforce and reflects the federal government's essential role in supporting our nation's youth. By expanding access to these services, we can help ensure that all students are empowered to thrive."

Full text of the legislation can be found here.