Waterbury Lawmakers Urge Federal Legislation to Increase Mental Health Professionals in Schools

In Waterbury, CT, lawmakers have organized a news conference to discuss proposed federal legislation aimed at increasing the number of mental health professionals in schools. The current number of counselors, social workers and psychologists in schools is insufficient to meet the growing need for mental health support among students.

Members of the education community are concerned that support staff are currently overwhelmed by the demand for mental health services. For instance, the Waterbury School District has only one full-time certified psychologist for every 2,672 students. In Connecticut as a whole, there is one certified school counselor for every 333 students in preschool through 12th grade.

Advocates highlighted that statewide there is only one full-time certified psychologist for every 494 students and one certified social worker for every 384 students. A press conference was scheduled to take place at Westside High School in Waterbury, and lawmakers such as Reps. Rosa DeLauro and Jahana Hayes spoke out for the urgent need for the proposed legislation.