According to a recent survey, 125,000 children in Michigan struggle with major depression, which can hinder learning, behavior, and relationships.
Research shows the benefits of school-based services to connect them with the care they need. Together with parents, school mental health resources can help keep kids safe. Scott Hutchins manages the behavioral health unit for the Michigan Department of Education and stresses the importance of such services, especially in light of the pandemic and school shootings.
“Those needs have only been exacerbated since COVID and those other violent tragedies,” Hutchins said. “So what mental health services do is they allow us to break down the barriers that students need to get the care that they need.”
Statistics show youth receiving school-based mental health services are six times more likely to complete treatment than those receiving community-based services. But the state needs more of those professionals. Michigan has one school psychologist per almost 2,200 students. The recommended ratio is one for every 500 students.
The state requires school districts to include suicide prevention hotline contact information on IDs for students in grades 7 through 12. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to be connected with a trained counselor, available 24/7.
