Starting in January, students in the Syracuse City School District will have access to enhanced mental health services through a new partnership with SUNY Upstate Medical University. The five-year initiative, funded by a $5.5 million federal grant, aims to address the growing mental health needs of students by offering both on-site clinics and telehealth appointments with mental health professionals from Upstate and the district.
This new collaboration comes at a time when the demand for mental health support among young people has reached alarming levels. The program will help alleviate the burden on local providers and ensure that more students, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, can access the care they need. The partnership was announced at a press conference on Wednesday, with John B. King, Chancellor of the SUNY system, emphasizing the importance of school-based mental health services.
“For many students, school is the only place where someone checks in on them,” said King. “It is where they find love, safety, and support. This initiative is about saving children’s lives and strengthening our communities.”
Addressing a Critical Need
The Syracuse City School District has seen a troubling rise in mental health crises among students. In the past year, the district documented 312 cases of students experiencing suicidal ideation, according to Teresa Bowers, the district’s Director for Mental Health. However, a shortage of local mental health providers has made it difficult for many students to access timely care. Currently, 300 students are on a waitlist for mental health services, and Bowers believes the true number of students in need is likely much higher.
“Students in our community face significant challenges, including trauma and adverse childhood experiences,” Bowers said. “These issues often manifest as mental health crises, behavioral incidents, and suicidal thoughts.”
The new partnership aims to address this gap by providing consistent, easily accessible mental health care within the school environment. The program will establish permanent mental health clinics at Grant Middle School and the McCarthy at Beard School, an alternative school for students with severe emotional, behavioral, and social needs. Providers will be available not only during regular school hours, but also after school and during school breaks, ensuring that students have access to support when they need it most.
Expanding Access to Care
One of the key features of the new initiative is the accessibility of mental health services. Students will be able to meet with providers—including nurse practitioners, child psychiatrists, and autism specialists—without the need for referrals or waiting for an appointment. This will ensure that care is available when students need it, without unnecessary delays.
“Our dream is simple: every child, regardless of their background, should have the same level of care and expertise,” said Dr. Mantosh Dewan, President of SUNY Upstate. “We want to provide all the necessary supports and services for each student, ensuring they have the opportunity to thrive.”
The partnership also aims to increase diversity among the mental health providers serving Syracuse students. Currently, there is a lack of diverse providers who share the same racial and cultural backgrounds as the students they serve. To address this, SUNY Upstate plans to recruit a diverse group of mental health professionals, including students who will earn clinical hours while working in the schools. These student providers will be mentored by experienced professionals from both Upstate and the district, helping to build a more diverse and culturally competent workforce.
“We are committed to recruiting a diverse group of providers who can connect with our students,” Dewan said. “These individuals will not only serve as mentors but will also help build a pipeline for future mental health professionals in our community.”
Building a Sustainable Mental Health Workforce
The partnership between Syracuse schools and SUNY Upstate also aims to create a sustainable pipeline of mental health professionals. By recruiting diverse students from Upstate’s medical programs, the initiative will help ensure that the mental health needs of the community are met in the long term.
“We want to create a rich and diverse offering that both our students and providers will value,” Dewan said. “By mentoring the next generation of mental health professionals, we are building a strong foundation for the future.”
The initiative is a critical step in addressing the mental health crisis facing young people in Syracuse and beyond. As the partnership progresses, it is hoped that more students will receive the support they need to navigate the challenges of adolescence and emerge as healthy, resilient individuals.
A Community Effort to Support Students
As the program gets underway in January, it will be a significant step forward in supporting the mental well-being of Syracuse’s students. By providing accessible, culturally competent mental health services, the district and SUNY Upstate are ensuring that students receive the care they need to succeed academically and personally. With a focus on long-term sustainability and community engagement, this partnership offers hope for a brighter future for Syracuse’s young people.
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