Katherine Clark: “Recently, hospital staff and healthcare providers in my district shared with me that their emergency rooms are filled…”

“Recently, hospital staff and healthcare providers in my district shared with me that their emergency rooms are filled with children and teens struggling with their mental health. We know rates of youth anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation have skyrocketed across the country. While this was a problem before COVID, the pandemic has made it so much worse. This is a national emergency, specifically in our schools. Last year, 75 percent of public schools reported increased concerns around students showing trauma symptoms. Yet, only half of those schools felt they had the resources to be able to address students' mental health needs. Our children need help, and our parents need a place to turn. The Mental Health Matters Act includes legislation to address the critical and unmet needs for school-based mental health providers. My legislation establishes a 5-year grant program to recruit and retain counselors in public schools, ensuring that whether you are in Head Start or high school, kids have the mental health care support they need to be healthy and thrive. Mr. Chair, a ``yes'' vote today for this act is a vote for a healthy future for all.”