Emmer Seeks Review of Federal Mental Health Care Collaboration in Schools

Letter

Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) sent a letter to the Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, expressing concerns about the state of mental health among our nation's students, and asking for clarity on the coordination, funding, and implementation of mental health resources in schools.
Emmer said, "The COVID pandemic exacted a drastic toll on America's youth, robbing them of important milestones and isolating millions of students during a critical point in their development. As a result, our young people are struggling with their mental health, and improvements and increased accessibility to mental health care in schools are badly needed. Student mental health concerns can be addressed, but we must provide adequate resources and clear best practices to give young Americans the support they need."

Specifically, Emmer asked whether the Department of Education had consulted with other federal agencies, like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on best practices for providing mental health care to students. The letter also included questions on whether the Department of Education has considered factors like COVID-19 and the rise of social media in their guidance in their current grant programs.

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