The government is allocating $2 billion to create safe learning environments, hire and train 14,000 new mental health professionals.
The government is allocating $2 billion to create safe learning environments, hire and train 14,000 new mental health professionals.
The United States Department of Education, along with key educational organizations, has committed to enhancing mental health support for students nationwide.
The organizations include the National Association of State Boards of Education, National Conference of State Legislatures, State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, National Association of Counties, and US Conference of Mayors, has
The joint statement acknowledged the heightened mental health challenges students face due to the pandemic’s disruptions.
“Nationwide, students continue to struggle with mental health challenges. The pandemic’s unprecedented disruptions in their school and social lives exacerbated rates of depression, anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness that were already on the rise,” the statement read.
“From classrooms to Congress, we all have a role to play in meeting this urgent need,” it added.
Creating safe learning environments
To address this, the education department is investing $2 billion to create safe learning environments, hire and train 14,000 new mental health professionals, and collaborate with the Department of Health and Human Services to expand Medicaid reimbursement for school-based health services.
“Schools can be a gateway to crucial mental health services that may otherwise be inaccessible, and at the federal level, the US Department of Education has focused on two elements of success: people and resources,” the government said.
Representing state and local leaders, the involved organizations have diligently worked to equip these leaders with the necessary resources to confront the current challenges. However, they acknowledge that the most effective and enduring solutions hinge on coordinated efforts and unwavering commitment at every level of government.
“Given the exponential impact of coming together, we commit to continue our work as individual organizations while uplifting the efforts of others and, where possible, working together, to ensure every student, no matter their zip code, has access to mental health supports,” the statement added.
Ensuring universal access to mental health support
The Institute of International Education (IIE) and the AIFS Foundation jointly recently released a report, “Mental Health and Well-Being in International Education,” highlighting the critical need to prioritize the mental health of international students and educators in the U.S.
The report recommended comprehensive mental health measures across various program aspects, responding to the heightened anxiety caused by the global health crisis and recognizing the exacerbated mental health issues among international students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It advocated for a paradigm shift, placing mental health at the core of international students’ educational experiences and highlighting the vital role of education professionals in supporting student mental health.
The report also addressed challenges such as overcoming stigma, urging safe spaces for disclosure, and emphasizing the necessity of supporting administrators. Moreover, it underscored that the well-being of all stakeholders, including administrators, is crucial for the success of international education programs.
The IIE and AIFS Foundation lead this transformative approach, focusing on research to enhance mental health support for students participating in exchange programs and their guiding professionals, presenting insightful case studies to underscore promising practices.
The 2022-2023 academic year marked a substantial increase in international student enrollment in the United States, with over one million students now comprising six percent of the total US higher education population, as per the Open Doors 2023 Report.
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the surge contributes nearly $38 billion to the US economy.
The enrollment of new international students for the 2022-2023 academic year reached near-record levels, surpassing pre-pandemic figures with a remarkable 14 percent year-over-year boost, totaling 298,523.
The growth was observed across all U.S. states and territories, with 48 states reporting an increase in international student numbers, reflecting an 80 percent upswing from the previous year.
