Increasing Access to Mental Health in Schools Act

The Increasing Access to Mental Health in Schools Act creates a federal grant program to increase the number of mental health professionals (counselors, social workers, and psychologists) in low-income public schools. It provides funding for partnerships between schools serving high percentages of low-income students and graduate institutions that train mental health professionals, aiming to reach recommended staff-to-student ratios (such as 1 counselor per 250 students). The bill also establishes a student loan repayment program for mental health professionals working in these schools, offering up to $200,000 in total repayment over five years. This legislation directly affects low-income school districts and mental health professionals working in those schools, with the goal of improving mental health support for students facing challenges like poverty, homelessness, or trauma.