When the U.S. Department of Education required every school to report the number of school counselors, nurses, and psychologists on campus, the results were telling. They revealed a critical shortage of mental health professionals in schools nationwide. A report by the ACLU called Cops and No Counselors: How the Lack of School Mental Health Staff Is Harming Students published these alarming statistics:

• 6 million students are in schools with police but no school psychologists.
• 14 million students are in schools with police but no counselor, nurse, psychologist, or social worker.

Yet today’s students are facing a barrage of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and trauma. From 2006 to 2016, the youth suicide rate among children 10-17 increased by 70 percent. The report highlights the unique role school-based mental health services can play to address the crisis: “Students are 21 times more likely to visit school-based health centers for mental health than community mental health centers. This is especially true in low-income districts where other resources are scarce.”

Not only are they widely used, but on-campus mental health services have a profoundly positive effect. Research “has shown that school-based mental health providers improve school climate and other positive outcomes for students.” Further, their presence also improves school safety, increases attendance, decreases suspensions and expulsions, and improves graduation rates.

Read the full report here:

Cops and No Counselors: How the Lack of School Mental Health Staff Is Harming Students