Mental health is often discussed in whispers; we all must confront the growing reality that many of our young people are struggling. A recent survey of Pennsylvania youth found that 41.5% of students reported feeling sad or depressed most days in the past year. Students of all ages are struggling to navigate mental health challenges. For many kids, especially those in low-income and rural communities, school is their only way to access reliable mental health services.

As lawmakers from opposite sides of the aisle, we may disagree on many things, but we agree on this simple fact: The 2025-26 state budget must include $100 million for school-based mental health support. This investment supports our kids and eases teacher burden. Over the last year, this funding has produced positive impact across the commonwealth.

Pennsylvania schools are stretched thin, and kids are still facing the impacts of covid. In 2025, 83% of Pennsylvania schools listed mental health as one of the top three challenges they face at the administrative level. That’s up from 66% just a year earlier. Meanwhile, 80% of schools report they cannot hire enough counselors, leaving thousands of children without adequate support. Last year’s funding enabled schools to contract with licensed therapists who, following parent approval, met with kids who would never have made it to an office after school.

In Westmoreland County, one middle school developed a strong partnership with local providers, a program that provided enormous benefits for both students and parents. This year’s plan is to build out these partnerships by supplementing school mental health dollars with the limited district funds. By doing so, they hope to support even more students as new students enter the school and as graduating students advance to upper grades.

A key component to this program is fluidity. As students struggle, resources and services are dedicated to them. Then as they improve and another student demonstrates a need for help, resources are allocated to that new student dependent on the need. This system serves as an example of how schools can better support overwhelming caseloads, but only when they have the help and resources of trained providers.

In Lehigh County, districts have hired staff, purchased additional curriculum and bought apps designed to check in with students. These changes have allowed schools to be flexible and proactive when it comes to their kids’ mental health.

School mental health isn’t just about treating kids in crisis; it’s about creating an environment where students are ready to learn, regardless of their ZIP code or the type of school they attend. It’s also why we have provided schools with the flexibility to choose how to best meet their local needs, whether it be safety or service or a combination of the two. As school-based mental health funding continues, the program can include school reporting as to how districts invested these important funds.

When kids feel safe, supported and understood, they are more likely to attend class, succeed in school and build healthy relationships. These services also play a vital role in school safety. Providing quality mental health care builds coping skills and helps prevent kids’ internal struggles from escalating into emergencies that put themselves, other students and staff at risk.

Both Republicans and Democrats should bristle at the alarming rates of suicidal thought for girls in grades 6 to 12. The 2023 Pennsylvania Youth Survey findings are in line with the national Youth Risk Behavior Survey showing 27.1% of girls compared to 14.1% of boys having seriously considered suicide. Schools can use these funds to integrate their services with existing county mental health programs and help avoid preventable tragedies.

Investing in mental health isn’t just good policy; it’s a smart economic decision. Students who do better in school are more likely to graduate, join the workforce and contribute to our communities, reducing long-term costs for taxpayers.

This year, the General Assembly has the chance to show that no matter our political differences, we stand together for Pennsylvania’s kids. Let’s pass a budget that continues to invest $100 million in school-based mental health services. Happier, healthier families mean a brighter future for every Pennsylvanian, no matter where you live or how you vote.

Rep. Eric Nelson, a Republican, represents District 57; Rep. Mike Schlossberg, a Democrat, represents District 132 and is House majority whip.

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