California Schools Face Looming Crisis: Hundreds of Mental Health Clinicians at Risk After Federal Funding Cuts

After graduating from Eureka High School in 2018, Jane Huang was determined to attend college elsewhere. She had faced severe depression, and her teachers often labeled her as “lazy” when she struggled in class. In Eureka, a small, low-income coastal town in Northern California, she felt isolated, especially as one of the few Chinese American students.

Now a psychology major at Cal State East Bay, Huang returned to her high school as a student mental health worker in 2022. This opportunity was made possible by federal grants for school-based mental health. “There was no wellness center when I was a student,” she recalled. Knowing what current students face, she wanted to make a difference.

Experts warn that many students are facing a mental health crisis, worsened by the pandemic. Unfortunately, recent government funding cuts threaten vital mental health services in schools, particularly in rural and low-income areas. On April 29, the U.S. Department of Education notified grant recipients of nearly $168 million in cancellations for California mental health programs, claiming they didn’t meet new policy preferences.

Local districts, like Eureka City Schools, stand to lose millions in funding. Sarahdee Duncan, a wellness coordinator, fears that layoffs will lead to long waitlists and barriers for families in need of help. A coalition of 16 states, including California, has even sued the administration over these cancellations, arguing that they endanger vulnerable youth.

Despite state investments in mental health, many small districts still depend on federal grants. Humboldt County, for instance, has a suicide rate of 12.5 per 100,000 youth, more than twice the rate of urban areas. Jack Bareilles, with the Northern Humboldt Union High School District, noted that the lost funding would impact thousands of students who rely on these services.

In Del Norte County, the district’s assistant superintendent, Thomas Kissinger, reported severe staff shortages, stressing that communities can be over 350 miles from urban centers and lack access to mental health support. The funds allowed them to maintain a more reasonable student-to-counselor ratio, significantly improving student well-being.

Lora Schultz, a mental health grant coordinator, pointed out the strong connection students have with school counselors. “Students often see these professionals as a safe space. Losing them could leave a huge gap,” she said.

Research supports the importance of continuity in mental health care. Youth who lose long-term clinicians often experience negative outcomes. Huang shared her concern that without the current support system, students might feel abandoned. One of her students, Cassandra Garcia-Gonzalez, echoed this sentiment. After overcoming her own struggles with mental health, she now helps peers but worries that the upcoming cuts will hinder future support for students.

As districts prepare for these significant challenges, the community’s response will be crucial. Many hope that state lawsuits or alternative funding can help bridge the gap for students in urgent need. The reality is that for many kids, school is the safest place to seek help.

For further insights on youth mental health, you can check the CDC’s overview on youth mental crises [here](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/su/su7103a3.htm).

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