U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro and Jahana Hayes introduce the Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Schools Act
WATERBURY, Conn. — Federal leaders are seeking approval of a new bill to increase funding for mental health supports in schools. Leading the way are two congresswomen from Connecticut, Rosa DeLauro and Jahana Hayes. On Thursday, the two visited Westside Middle School in Waterbury to spread awareness of the bill.
“Funding and grants will be available to help schools recruit and retain mental health professionals,” DeLauro said.
DeLauro said he and Hayes are working to rally support for the bill and that no funding has been planned yet. On Thursday, the pair heard from Waterbury students about the importance of investing.
“If it weren’t for the career guidance counselors and support staff at my school, I wouldn’t be here right now,” said Nadina Badrasan, a junior at Waterbury Arts Magnet School.
Like many other students, Badrasan said his mental health had hit a “low point” recently.
“I was trying hard to do well in school and wanted perfect grades. And I got to the point where I overworked myself, working on homework for hours a day. “I was there,” Badrasan said.
That was until one of her teachers brought it to the attention of a school counselor who intervened.
“I definitely think I’ve changed since then. I’m never going to go back to a life where I was pushing myself to that level,” Badrasan said.
The only problem is that schools don’t have enough resources like the counselors who helped Bhadrasan deal with the scale of the problem. That’s why Waterbury Superintendent Dr. Verna Ruffin hopes the new law becomes a reality. If passed, she would like to forge new partnerships with local universities to strengthen the mental health profession.
“To ensure we have a pipeline of potential jobs that we can invest in and help prepare, train and hire Waterbury Public Schools,” Ruffin said.
It adds to the district’s arsenal of services, including at least one counselor in every school, a social worker, programs with outside providers, and a brand new 24/7 mental health walk-in center in downtown Waterbury. It will increase the stock. Wellmore Emergency Child Crisis Center.
“It’s a service menu. That’s not enough,” Ruffin said.
Related: CT DCF rolls out new program to better serve children in need
Ruffin hopes this opportunity will further expand the menu and ultimately help more students like Bhadrasan.
“They made me so happy. I think they’re the happiest I’ve ever been in school,” Badrasan said.
At this point, the bill is just a proposal, but Connecticut leaders are working to gain the bipartisan support needed to move it forward. Learn more about this law here.
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Julia LeBlanc is a reporter for FOX61 News. Contact her at jleblanc@fox61.com. Facebook, X and Instagram.
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