What is the extent of the mental health crisis among teens in Massachusetts schools?

Approximately 1 in 6 teens in Massachusetts schools experience a major depressive episode each year, and 59,000 adolescents have serious thoughts of suicide annually.

How are Massachusetts schools using new grants for mental health support?

Grants are funding teacher professional development, building partnerships with community organizations, and piloting universal mental health questionnaires for student screening.

Are the new mental health grants enough for Massachusetts schools?

Advocates state the grants are insufficient, with funding potentially covering only one additional counselor per district and supporting services for just 14 percent of school districts.

Home / Education / MA Schools Battle Teen Mental Health Crisis

MA Schools Battle Teen Mental Health Crisis

13 Jan

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Summary

1 in 6 teens in Massachusetts experience depression annually.
New grants will fund teacher training and community partnerships.
Funding may only cover additional counselors in some districts.

MA Schools Battle Teen Mental Health Crisis

Massachusetts is confronting a significant mental health crisis among adolescents, with one in six teens experiencing major depressive episodes annually. School budgets are strained by increasing healthcare, transportation, and special education costs, exacerbating the problem. To address this, the state has allocated grants to enhance professional development for teachers, enabling them to better support students' mental and behavioral health needs.

These grants will also bolster partnerships with community organizations to expand access to essential services outside of school settings. A portion of the funds is earmarked for software to track service utilization. However, advocates like Pamela Sager of the Parent Professional Advocacy League note that the grants, while promising, are insufficient, covering continued mental health services for only 14 percent of districts and barely funding one additional counselor per awardee.