Virginia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services has recommended the continuation of efforts to expand mental health care services for youth following the successful conclusion of a pilot program that ended last spring.
The school-based mental health pilot initiative, funded through grants totaling $2.5 million from the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, saw the active participation of six Virginia school divisions. Bristol, Hanover, Hopewell, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, and Richmond City utilized the funding to bolster mental health services for students within their respective districts.
In a recent report submitted to the Behavioral Health Commission on September 1st, the agency commended the pilot program, stating it had “successfully launched several school-based services.” Nevertheless, it also voiced concerns regarding the effectiveness of the various programs funded through the commonwealth’s school-based mental health funds, emphasizing the need for standardized outcome measures.
Recipients of the grant used the funding to collaborate with community service providers, employ mental health professionals, and provide resources such as designated calming spaces for students. Furthermore, they benefited from technical guidance provided by the Virginia Department of Education and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, adhering to a state-designed plan aimed at addressing students’ mental health, social, and emotional needs.
Chris Whitley, an assistant superintendent with Hanover County Public Schools, highlighted the positive impact of the grant, stating, “The grant has greatly assisted our continued efforts to care for the whole child, not only the academic, but the social, physical, and emotional well-being of our students.” Hanover County Public Schools collaborated with their community services board, resulting in the hiring of additional staff and the acquisition of mental health support materials. The pilot program continues to operate at Patrick Henry and Mechanicsville high schools, where school-based counselors connect students and families with long-term mental health services.
Hanover schools also reported the successful implementation of calming rooms, designed to alleviate stress and anxiety, in nine schools. Between November 2022 and May 2023, 2,578 students sought refuge in these rooms, with Mechanicsville High recording the highest usage. However, concerns about students missing classroom instruction have prompted the ongoing monitoring of room utilization to determine if those visiting multiple times require additional support.
Bristol Virginia Public Schools allocated their grant towards hiring behavioral support positions and providing programming for high school students, focusing on subjects like mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Bristol Superintendent David Scott emphasized the importance of raising parental awareness of the program as part of their efforts to enhance student academic performance following low pass rates on state assessments.
Scott asserted, “Family engagement and mental health are every bit as important as the rigorous lessons in the classroom, and when we are making sure that we’re tending to the whole student, I think we’re on target for creating a successful educational outcome.”
The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services presented a series of recommendations to the Behavioral Health Commission, including the strengthening of community-based partnerships with schools, the development of shared goals between the state’s educational and behavioral health systems for youth mental health, and the expansion of the behavioral health workforce dedicated to serving youth.
The agency underlined the critical need for a licensed behavioral health workforce, particularly in regions like Southwest Virginia, where recruiting and retaining licensed mental health providers poses significant challenges.
