Federal cuts eliminate $1 billion in school mental health grants just as data shows 18% of students depend on these services. Programs created after Uvalde shooting must end by December, forcing layoffs of counselors nationwide while 16 states fight termination in federal court.
The JED Foundation and AASA launch their September 2025 District Mental Health Initiative cohort, offering school districts a two-year evidence-based program to build comprehensive mental health systems. With youth suicide rates rising 15% annually and 42% of students reporting persistent sadness, this collaborative approach helps superintendents create systematic change rather than piecemeal solutions.
Texas becomes the latest state to demonstrate that comprehensive school phone bans work, with over 1,200 districts reporting immediate increases in student engagement and authentic social interaction just weeks into implementation.
UNC System breaks new ground by training 420 future teachers in Youth Mental Health First Aid—the first statewide initiative to embed crisis intervention skills directly into educator preparation. With suicide ranking as the second leading cause of death for North Carolina teens, this evidence-based program promises to transform how students receive mental health support in schools while preserving their capacity to learn and thrive.
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