Bills
| 3.23.22

Do Schools Need More Federal Support For Youth Mental Health Programs? (S. 195)

Do you support or oppose this bill?

What is S. 195?

(Updated February 4, 2021)

This bill increases financial support for programs that offer mental health services to young people dealing with mental illness, trauma, or violence.


In a nutshell, S. 195 increases funding for the Safe Schools-Healthy Students program and allows the Secretary of the Department of Education to give grants to schools that bolster their mental health services.


The bill requires educational agencies receiving grants to partner with at least one public or private agency (for example, a law enforcement or juvenile justice entity) to offer better mental health services to kids. This includes making improvements to the ways that existing school mental health programs are taught to kids of different backgrounds, age groups, and levels of traumatic experiences. 


Such grants could then be used flexibly by schools to promote the social, emotional, and behavioral health of students, while training teachers to identify children with, or at risk of, mental illness.

Argument in favor

Mental health services are essential in helping children and teens battle mental illness. It’s absolutely necessary that the government support schools in stepping up efforts to foster mental health.

Argument opposed

Schools should focus on academics, not on mental health. If children are mentally ill, it’s the parents business to help their child get help — not the government’s.

Impact

Young people who suffer from or are at risk of developing mental health issues, school programs providing mental health services for youth, school administrators, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Cost of S. 195

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable. However, according to Sponsoring Rep. Al Franken’s (D-MN) press release, the S. 195 would require $200 million in grant funding per year over five years.

Additional Info

Of Note: 

Studies on youth suicide conducted by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) found that for young people between the ages of 10 and 24, suicide is the third leading cause of death.


The National Research Council estimates that between 13 and 20 percent of children experience mental illness in any given year. Proponents of S. 195 hope that renewed initiatives for mental health with help children and teens work through any illness or psychological trauma, and train adults on how to spot such illnesses before they progress.


What happens when kids do get help? According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, 31 percent of youth dealing with mental health issues saw problems decline after 6 months of receiving mental health care.

CDC Youth Suicide Studies


(Photo Credit: Flickr user katieg93)