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Government shutdown looms after Trump-backed bill fails; Environmental groups sue CA Air Resources Board over biogas credits; NY elected officials work to electrify municipal buildings; Need a mental health boost? Talking hot dog is here.

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President-elect Trump repeats his threats to jail Jan. 6th committee members, while also putting a stop-gap spending plan in jeopardy. A court removes Fani Willis from Trump's Georgia election interference case. The FAA restricts drones in New Jersey, and a Federal Reserve rate cut shakes markets.

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Rural folks could soon be shut out of loans for natural disasters if Project 2025 has its way, Taos, New Mexico weighs options for its housing shortage, and the top states providing America's Christmas trees revealed.

Checking in on mental health as WA kids head back to school

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Tuesday, August 27, 2024   

Promoting mental health is on the checklist as the new school year nears for Washington state students.

Mental-health professionals on school campuses are critical. The suggested ratio is 250 students per counselor, but a recent report found most states aren't achieving that.

In Washington state, the ratio is 373 students per counselor. State Rep. Lisa Callan - D-Issaquah - said the state is working on a Prenatal Through 25 Behavioral Health Strategic Plan.

She said kids need mental health services to get the most out of school.

"We have to take care of those needs - so you're ready and able to learn, and then you can meet the K-12 objective," said Callan. "So that's K-12's charge, but outside of that, Washington state has a charge to make sure that we can deliver behavioral health access and meet the needs and the care of our children wherever they need it."

Callan said the state is looking to find ways to bring in more supports for kids in school.

For instance, some lawmakers want to increase Medicaid dollars for school-based mental-health services, as well as streamlining the delivery of funds to schools.

Caitlin Hochul is the vice president for public policy with Inseparable, a mental-health advocacy organization.

She said long-term funding and policy changes are needed to address the complex issue of mental health in schools, but it's critical because that's where kids spend much of their time.

"There has been a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey that was published that offers a glimmer of hope when it comes towards kids' mental health," said Hochul, "showing that the big investments that we've made in the last several years are starting to work, but there is just so much more that needs to be done."

Hochul added that her organization created a checklist for promoting mental health in schools.

It includes ensuring regular staff training - in mental health, substance use & suicide prevention - annual well checks for every student, and school engagement with families and community partners.



Disclosure: Inseparable contributes to our fund for reporting on Criminal Justice, Health Issues, Mental Health, Social Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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