Switching between in-person and online learning, social distancing guidelines, and other unexpected changes from the COVID-19 pandemic have led to more pressure on students and an increase in demand for mental health services.
To meet the rising demand, schools across the state are in the process of hiring over 500 additional psychologists, social workers, counselors, and school nurses with the help of funds from the $17.1 billion state K-12 budget signed by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer last year. It included $240 million for school districts to hire staff to support students dealing with mental and physical health issues driven by the coronavirus.
“The pandemic reminded us that school-based mental and physical health professionals are not luxuries. Healthy students — physically, mentally, and social-emotionally — are better learners,” Whitmer said in a statement. “Having skilled professionals in school buildings helps our kids get the supports they need so they can thrive in the classroom and beyond.”
“I think people are more stressed than ever before and I guess that does carry over to our population of students that are definitely not immune to the stressors around them,” said Michael Behrmann, superintendent of the Harbor Springs schools. “(We) have two full-time mental health therapists and one part-time therapist. We also have 2.5 school counselors that work in our schools as well and a facilitator supporting Native American students.”
Read more at PetoskeyNews.com.
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