Further, SCAA is exploring efforts to increase access to medical care, including mental health services, to children through schools. Like medical services, the existing system for providing mental health services to children in schools is fragmented, inadequately funded and reaches a very limited number of students. In fact, there are mental health clinics in only 158 of the 4,100 school buildings in New York State. Children with serious emotional disturbance are more likely to drop out of school, consider attempting suicide, carry a weapon, and engage in other risky behaviors. Coordination with other health programs is vital to developing strong mental health services.
Comprehensive services are beneficial to the overall health of students.
An inclusive, statewide system must be put in place that builds on best practices, combines or eliminates categorical funding streams, develops new funding mechanisms and is integrated with medical services.