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Judge pauses deadline for federal workers to accept Trump's resignation offer; CA state lawmakers take action to enact safeguards against federal immigration enforcement; Study shows air quality disparities from industrial ag in NC.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

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During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

Georgia’s school mental health report card reveals urgent gaps

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Wednesday, February 5, 2025   

Georgia faces a growing mental health crisis among children, with schools on the front lines.

Georgia schools received millions in grants last year to expand mental health services on campus but a new report showed 119,000 children across the state experience major depression and more than half are not getting the help they need.

Angela Kimball, chief advocacy officer for the mental health advocacy organization Inseparable, said schools play a key role in closing these gaps by making mental health resources more accessible.

"One of the most important roles is that schools can help promote resilience and skills, like getting along well with others, healthy coping skills, making responsible choices," Kimball outlined. "All of those things can help mitigate against mental health challenges later on."

The report suggested several policy changes to help address the crisis, including expanding Medicaid billing to cover school-based mental health services, ensuring state funding for school psychologists and social workers and requiring annual well-being checks for students and staff.

Dimple Desai, senior policy analyst for the group Voices for Georgia's Children, said tackling the issue requires a comprehensive approach, with basic mental health support for all students and targeted interventions for those who need extra help. She noted programs like Georgia Apex are helping but could be expanded, along with after-school supports, to reach more children.

"After the school day ends, a lot of schools are providing that aftercare in the same building, to students that need a safe place to be while parents are finishing up their work day," Desai explained. "That is an environment where additional supports can be placed."

Desai argued bringing mental health services into schools helps remove major barriers to care, especially for those who might have trouble getting to appointments or navigating the system. But perhaps the biggest hurdle is a shortage of mental health professionals, particularly in rural Georgia. Desai thinks it is crucial to not only grow the workforce pipeline but support the providers already on the front lines.

"What that looks like is making sure that we are caring for the providers," Desai emphasized. "Burnout is very real in this profession, so we want to make sure we're addressing that. We want to make sure that we're paying them a livable wage."

Another challenge, she added, is ensuring schools offer the right kinds of mental health programs. Using tools like Georgia's annual School Climate Survey, schools can pinpoint key issues like suicide prevention, bullying or substance abuse, and tailor support to meet students' needs.

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


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