Report: CT School Mental Health Services Face Workforce Shortages

A new report found Connecticut is building up its school-based mental health services but faces workforce challenges.

The report, from the mental health policy group Inseparable, showed Connecticut has a high number of school mental health professionals but is not meeting the minimum ratio for hiring school-based social workers and counselors.

Jeana Bracey, associate vice president of school and community initiatives for the Child Health and Development Institute, said there has been some progress to bolster school mental health systems.

"The state has invested some funding, particularly leveraged federal funding, to support recruiting and retaining diverse staff," Bracey explained. "To improve the pipeline of those professionals into those positions, and helping to fill those gaps."

“Connecticut has a multi-pronged approach to curb bullying and harassment, including preventative measures that incorporate positive behavioral interventions, comprehensive training programs for teachers and staff, anonymous reporting mechanisms, and mental health supports for affected students.”

Connecticut used American Rescue Plan funds to bolster mental health programs but those dollars had to be allocated by last year. Bracey noted data collection must be part of improving school mental health so the state knows what’s working and what is not, and can ensure state funds are spent addressing students’ and schools' needs, rather than tackling a problem without examining the best solutions.

The report also noted Connecticut can do better at early intervention on mental illness.

Caitlin Hochul, vice president of public policy for Inseparable, said just as with physical ailments, catching mental health issues early can help prevent them from getting worse. She argued schools should have better mental health education.

"Mental health education, that’s part of that early intervention/prevention pillar, and making sure students understand what they might be going through – and learning about these different types of conditions, so they know that they’re not alone," Hochul emphasized. "They know to recognize warning signs and when they might need to reach out for help."

The report comes as a survey from last year found Connecticut teachers said they feel unequipped to handle students' mental health challenges. In the survey, 89% of teachers said they worry about students' growing anxiety and stress levels, which can lead to increasing absenteeism and worsening grades.

This story written and reported by Edwin J. Viera of Public News Service, a statewide news service for Connecticut.