School-Based Mental Health Access for Children & Youth
Adopted at the 89th Annual Meeting in 2021
WHEREAS, mayors understand there is a deep need for comprehensive school-based mental health services for students and families, now more than ever; and
WHEREAS, according to recent data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, more than 25% of high school students reported worsening emotional and cognitive health and over 20% of parents with children ages 5-12 reported similar worsening conditions for their children; and
WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between April and October 2020, the percentage of children ages 5-11 years old visiting an emergency room due to a mental health crisis increased by 24% and the percentage of youth 12-17 years old increased by 31%, compared to the same period in 2019; and
WHEREAS, experts expect the mental health effects of the pandemic to likely be felt for years to come; and
WHEREAS, research from the National Institute of Mental Health suggest the suicide rate is roughly two times higher for black children ages 5-12 years old compared with white children of the same age group; and
WHEREAS, according to the World Health Organization, half of all mental health and substance use conditions start before age 14 years old, but in most cases go undetected and untreated; and
WHEREAS, the impact of not addressing mental health conditions early extend to adulthood, harming one's overall health and limiting the ability to lead a fulfilling adult life; and
WHEREAS, mayors understand investing in the mental health of students is foundational to supporting their academic success and healthy development; and
WHEREAS, all students and school staff benefit from social emotional learning, which promotes the development of key social and emotional skills that encourage positive interactions, healthy relationship development, and can help foster physically and emotionally safe school environments; and
WHEREAS, students participating in social emotional learning programs have displayed an increased ability to manage stress and depression, demonstrated better attitudes about themselves, others, and school; and showed 11 percentile-point gains in academic achievement compared to those who did not participate in programs; and
WHEREAS, early interventions - like screenings - may permit more effective pathways to care by acting before conditions can become worse,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors calls on the United States Senate to support and pass the Mental Health for Students Act of 2021; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors affirms its commitment to supporting the mental health of children and youth by acting early and delivering access to care within school communities.