On August 3, 2023, Governor Hochul announced $108 million is available for school districts to support student well-being through expanding mental health supports.

In her address, Governor Hochul provides numerous examples regarding the serious status of student mental health concerns she heard after meeting with students and educators from around the state. After providing an example of one student’s failed experience trying to get mental health support at school she noted: “We need to invest more money. Allow for more hiring. Bring in these professionals. Help them [students] on site. Don’t send them home and tell them to ‘go see a therapist someday’. That’s probably not going to happen. Let them get support in school, supplemented by outside services.”

Read full impassioned announcement regarding the children’s mental health crisis and why additional school mental health funding is needed NOW. “The entire country is feeling the same way, but ‘Why can’t New York be a “National Model” in resolving this issue.”

New York State Website: “Governor Announces $108M for Schools to Address Pandemic Learning Loss and Support Mental Health”.  8/3/2023

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/video-audio-photos-rush-transcript-governor-hochul-announces-108-million-available-schools

Photo Credit:  Flickr-Governor Hochul's Office