Schools to get a boost in mental health funds

Move aims to combat rising youth suicides, ID violent students

Florida lawmakers are set to boost funding for school-based mental health services for the third year in row, an effort to stem a rising youth suicide rate and identify potentially violent students.

The money has helped South Florida schools hire more school counselors, psychologists and therapists. Despite the investment, districts have a long way to go until they meet the recommended staffing ratios.

Senate and House budget proposals devote $100 million to school mental health, up from $75 million. State legislators created the fund in 2018 in response to the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that killed 17 students and staff.

“More services are being provided, but we still have deserts — areas where mental health services are lacking — both in our urban areas and particularly are rural areas,” Joy Frank, general counsel for the Florida Association of School Superintendents, told lawmakers.

A South Florida Sun Sentinel investigation spotlighted the tremendous challenges educators face. Roughly twice a week in Florida, a child or teenager takes their life, a statistic that has increased 50% over the last decade. Some troubled students pose a

threat to their classmates. The Sun Sentinel pored over court cases in 10 major Florida counties, from Miami to the Panhandle, and found more than 100 tormented youths, most of them threatening to murder teachers or fellow students.

Broward County Public Schools has used its share of the state money to hire 60 mental health workers, including school psychologists, therapists and counselors. An increase in local taxes also helped boost staffing.

But Broward and other districts across the state still fall behind the recommended staffing levels. For instance, Broward has one school counselor for every 524 students. The recommended ratio is one school counselor for every 250 students.

First lady Casey DeSantis has made mental health one of her priorities. The state recently required that schools provide at least five hours of mental health instruction to students in grades six through 12.

Lawmakers are also considering a bill that would require school safety officers to undergo mental health crisis intervention training.

RICK BOWMER/AP Florida is set to boost funding for school-based mental health.