Sen. Franken's Bill to Expand Access to Mental Health Care in Schools Will Help Students, Families in Minnesota & Across Country

Press Release

Today, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) reintroduced his legislative proposal to support students and their families by expanding access to mental health services in schools throughout Minnesota and the entire country.

In the United States, one-in-five youth experience mental illness, and 70 percent of those kids don't receive the care they need. With the right training and resources, schools can be instrumental in helping to identify and support students with mental health problems. But all too often, important services provided by school counselors, social workers, psychologists, and nurses are in short supply.

Sen. Franken's Mental Health in Schools Act establishes a grant program to aid schools that work with community-based organizations to expand access to mental health services for students. The program also helps assist schools to train staff, volunteers, families, and other community members to recognize behavioral health problem in kids.

"We know that if you catch and address mental health issues early, it can make a real difference in a person's life," said Sen. Franken, a member of the Senate Education Committee. "But unfortunately, schools often don't have enough resources to help support the one-in-five kids in our country who experience mental illness. That needs to change--for the sake of our children and for families. Every student should have access to these kinds of services, and my bill would help make that a reality."

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