Funding cuts threaten school mental health

The abrupt termination of federal grants for school mental health services has left many initiatives in jeopardy. Ian Levy, an assistant professor of school counseling at Rutgers University, expressed disappointment, commenting: “The grant funding would have ended in five years, but the work of the grant would have lived well beyond the period.” The U.S. Department of Education terminated these grants, citing inconsistencies with the new administration’s priorities. This decision affects 174 initiatives aimed at increasing the availability of mental health professionals in schools, which are crucial given the ongoing mental health crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding cuts have prompted appeals and legal challenges from affected organizations, but few have been successful. As a result, many school districts may struggle to retain newly hired counselors, further impacting student mental health services.