Mental Health Supports For K-12 Public Education
COSSBA | Aug 27, 2025 | 3 min read
Approved August 2025
COSSBA REQUESTS
- A substantial increase in federal funding allocated to mental health services for public schools, including hiring counselors, psychologists, and social workers or contracting with community mental health professionals.
- Acknowledge longstanding workforce challenges in mental health through innovative training programs, loan repayment, and intensified recruitment efforts.
- Increase sustainable funding of effective school-based mental health care models, including easier access to Medicaid supports.
- Address safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments through partnerships with community-based organizations.
- Strengthen suicide prevention efforts in schools, primary care, and community settings.
- Recognize that addressing mental health challenges in public schools is a shared responsibility requiring collaboration between schools, communities, and state agencies.
As our nation’s schools focus on improving student outcomes, it is imperative to recognize the profound impact of mental health challenges on students and staff. These challenges demand urgent attention, adequate funding, and comprehensive action.
National data continues to show alarming increases in anxiety, depression, and suicide among children and adolescents, underscoring the urgency of sustained investment in mental health services.
While recent federal investments helped make progress, funding uncertainty now threatens those gains. Expanding mental health services remains critical to ensuring safe, supportive learning environments.
Position Paper
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