More than 30 “high-need” schools in Massachusetts are getting funding to establish mental health support programs, Gov. Maura Healey announced Tuesday. The government is trying to curb the youth mental health crisis and help struggling students return to the classroom.
As some students get used to falling behind in compulsory education and returning to school full-time, the state is investing $13 million in the Bridge for Resilient Youth in Transition (BRYT) program, which provides academic case management, clinical care, family support and care coordination for mental health concerns. While 95% of BRYT students graduate on time, about half of students nationwide with mental health issues ultimately drop out of high school, according to Healy’s office.
Mr. Healy announced the plan at Wellesley High School, where he launched one of the first BRYT programs more than 18 years ago. The $13 million contribution, which includes $3 million in federal COVID-19 relief money and $10 million from the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Trust Fund, is intended to help schools that don’t have the funds to offer the program on their own. It is said that
“For the first time in history, we are providing seed funding to the BRYT program because critical mental health support like this is only available to students in schools that have the resources to establish the program themselves. Because we know we shouldn’t be able to,” Gov. Kim Driscoll said in a statement. “We want every student in Massachusetts to grow academically and spiritually, and expanding BRYT brings us one step closer to that goal.”
Less than 20% of BRYT participants are readmitted after their initial hospitalization. Participants also reported a 50% reduction in substance use disorders and self-harm, according to Healey’s office.
Healey’s office says BRYT programming helps students balance their mental health with academics and transition back into society. Eight schools, including Boston’s John D. O’Bryant School, Brockton High School, Everett High School, Lynn Vocational and Technical Institute, Malden High School, and Springfield High School, were selected as “under-resourced and high-need” schools to launch the BRYT program. already meet the criteria. Commerce, Springfield. He graduated from Legacy Academy, Taunton High School.
Each school will receive $259,000 over 20 months to develop programs and retain staff, Healey’s office said.
