As students who experienced the COVID-19 pandemic during formative academic years, we understand firsthand how difficult it was to manage mental health when support systems felt limited or inaccessible. For many young people, isolation, uncertainty and stress became overwhelming without adequate resources or guidance. Attending a university with counseling and mental health services readily accessible helped reshape our understanding of how critical these programs are during times of crisis and personal hardship.
These services are not utilized by only a small subset of students; they support individuals from all backgrounds seeking help to remain healthy, academically successful and connected to their communities. Removing mental health education and support in schools risks further stigmatizing these conversations and limiting early intervention opportunities for Arizona’s youth.
Arizona lawmakers should reject House Bill 2093 and instead invest in strengthening school-based mental health education and support services. Schools are often the first place where youths struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma or suicidal thoughts are identified, making them a critical setting for prevention and early intervention efforts. Rather than removing mental health education, policymakers should work collaboratively with educators, public health professionals, families and community organizations to expand culturally responsive mental health resources that meet the needs of Arizona’s diverse student population.
In addition, increasing funding for school counselors, psychologists and social workers is essential to addressing the growing mental health crisis among youths. Expanding access to these services can improve not only emotional well-being but also academic performance, attendance and long-term health outcomes. Arizona’s students deserve learning environments that support both their educational success and their mental well-being. At a time when youth mental health challenges continue to rise, eliminating mental health education sends the wrong message to students and families who already face barriers to seeking help. We urge legislators to prioritize evidence-based solutions that protect and support the health of Arizona’s youth, rather than limiting access to critical mental health resources.