Austin News

On March 21, 2024, a group of U.S. Senators, including John Cornyn, Kyrsten Sinema, Thom Tillis, Jon Tester, and Maggie Hassan, introduced the Creating Access and Resources in Education (CARE) for Student Mental Health Act. This bill aims to enhance schools' ability to access federal mental health grants funded in part by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

Sen. Cornyn expressed the urgent need for improved mental health resources in schools, stating, “Far too many young people struggle with their mental health, and far too many schools lack the resources to recognize and care for students who may be in crisis.” Sen. Sinema emphasized the importance of creating healthy and safe learning environments for children.

Sen. Tillis highlighted the significance of the legislation in expanding access to school-based mental health care, especially in light of the challenges students face today. Sen. Tester underscored the importance of investing in mental health professionals in underserved schools, particularly in rural areas where students often rely on schools as their primary source of mental health care.

Sen. Hassan shared insights from students about the need for better access to mental health treatment, emphasizing the collaborative effort across party lines to support schools in recruiting, retaining, and training mental health professionals.

The CARE for Student Mental Health Act aims to address the growing crisis of mental health disorders among children by improving access to school-based mental health providers. The legislation builds upon the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which made significant investments in school-based mental health services but faced challenges in reaching eligible entities.

The bill proposes various measures to bridge the gap between schools in need and available mental health resources, including clarifying grant distinctions, enhancing technical assistance for potential grantees, and streamlining programs to increase the number of trained mental health professionals in schools.

Endorsed by numerous education and mental health organizations, the CARE for Student Mental Health Act represents a bipartisan effort to prioritize the mental well-being of students and ensure they have the support they need to thrive in educational settings.