MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – A statewide effort to improve student mental health services is expanding, backed by a new $600,000 commitment aimed at helping schools address growing demand and limited resources.
The funding, from the Roots & Wings Foundation, will support a school-based mental health initiative led by the WEA Member Benefits Foundation. The program works with districts to expand access to counseling and other behavioral health services for K-12 students.
Right now, the initiative supports 21 school districts, serving about 148,000 students statewide.
Leaders say while schools are eager to support students, many face challenges when it comes to funding those services.
“The school districts are certainly supportive of helping their students when it comes to mental health,” said Steve Goldberg, executive director of the WEA Member Benefits Foundation. “What they lack in many cases, in most cases, is money, funding.”
Goldberg said school budgets and other funding sources for mental health support have declined in recent years, even as student needs continue to grow.
“Our focus, our priority, our mission is to help school districts afford to provide their students with more access to mental health services and support,” he said.
The foundation does not accept applications from districts, instead selecting them based on their approach to student mental health and track record.
Districts use the funding in a variety of ways, including covering therapy costs, expanding counseling access and increasing available services.
Goldberg said the impact is already showing results.
“School districts find that their student wait list for mental health appointments has been reduced because they’ve been able to provide access to more of them,” he said.
In rural areas, districts are also working together to overcome access challenges.
“Or we find out that the transportation barrier in a rural school district has been overcome because several rural school districts have combined their transportation support services so that students can get to appointments,” Goldberg said.
Leaders say the initiative is also helping shift school culture, with students increasingly supporting one another.
“We’ve been in school districts where the students want to help their classmates who might be suffering from mental health issues,” Goldberg said. “So rather than marginalizing them or making fun of them, they’re trying to help their classmates. And that’s a good sign.”
The additional funding will allow the program to expand to more districts, reaching more students.
Goldberg said continued progress will depend on community involvement.
“People who are interested in the success of students in our public schools should reach out to their local school districts and find out what kind of help they need,” he said. “Whether it’s money, whether it’s in-kind support, there might be some creative opportunities.”
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