Establish regulated Mental Health Specialists in government-funded high schools across the state.

 

The purpose of this bill is to aid in preventing burnout, depression, and anxiety in high school students through the

use of specialists who understand the students’ mental state and stressors.

 

As students move into high school, new stress and anxiety are introduced into their lives. In addition, many social,

emotional, and other situations can arise very easily. When many issues that cause anxiety occur at once, students’

mental health can decline. As suicide is the second leading cause of death among high school students, and nearly one

third of high school students experience depression, mental health and anxiety prevention is clearly vital. This bill

will allow students to speak about problems in their lives and lower depression and anxiety rates in Minnesota.

 

For the purpose of this bill, “burnout” shall be defined as high school students experiencing a drastic and sudden loss

of motivation for and desire to complete schoolwork or homework, either effectively or at all.

For the purpose of this bill, “depression” shall be defined as a medical mood disorder, diagnosed or not, characterized

by a persistently sad or low mood or a loss of interest in activities, occurring most of the day, every day, for at

least two weeks, while interfering with daily functioning.

For the purpose of this bill, “anxiety” will be defined as a mental health condition where stress is persistent and

overwhelming, directly interfering with daily activities or functioning.

A Mental Health Specialist will be required to have license or clear experience in understanding and aiding in burnout,

depression, and anxiety, in addition to providing general support for normal stress, personal problems, or other issues

affecting a student, such as a licensed psychologist, therapist, or clinical counselor.

 

Current taxing systems will be used in order to pay for the salaries of the Mental Health Specialists, benefits for

these specialists, and other accommodations for these specialists.

 

Schools that do not comply will be at risk of future budget cuts and will be included as a required item in the

district’s annual state compliance report.

 

This bill is to be put into effect starting in the 2027-2028 school year.