Mental Health

psychologists is 1:1,200. In rural areas, these student- to-provider ratios are often more stark. While teachers are trained to help students academically, they are not trained to address the root causes of mental health issues, and often cite a lack of support for students with behavioral and mental health issues as a key inhibitor of student success. Additionally, virtual learning and a lack of mental health resources during the pandemic has created

even more challenges for students as they return to in person learning.

Tester’s Increasing Access to Mental Health in Schools Act directly addresses these shortages, and has received support from the National Association of School Psychologists, American Psychological Association, School Social Work Association of America, American School Counselor Association, and National Alliance on Mental Illness.