Grants awarded to school districts to improve student mental well-being

Multiple Connecticut school districts have received grants to improve student mental health. One of these districts, Andover, held a meeting at its elementary school Monday morning to address the challenges of children’s mental health. The meeting was scheduled for 9:30 a.m. and was intended to discuss issues facing students, especially those related to mental health. These funds, which amounted to $825,000, came from America’s Rescue Plan and will be invested in children’s mental health over the next three years. The Connecticut Department of Education has awarded these grants to a number of districts, giving them the opportunity to hire additional mental health specialists. These professionals are meant to serve as valuable resources for schools, helping students manage anxiety and depression. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a staggering 42 percent of students nationwide felt persistently sad or hopeless in 2021. That’s why it’s critical that these new funds are used to address the mental health needs of local students.