NYC Council Boosts Mental Health Help in Schools

The New York City Council has passed a bunch of new laws to tackle the rising mental health issues among students. These laws aim to create safe spaces in schools where kids can get the support they need, especially after the tough times brought on by the COVID pandemic. One of the laws is a two-year pilot program that connects graduate students studying social work with middle and high schools. These future professionals will join student clubs and lead discussions and workshops. Another law helps students start peer-led clubs to support each other. Additionally, the council wants to improve mental health literacy in schools and make it easier for city workers to offer help to those who've experienced traumatic incidents.

Councilwoman Rita Joseph from Brooklyn, who heads the Education Committee, said that many kids are struggling and feel like they have nowhere to turn. City data shows that 38% of high school students felt so sad or hopeless in 2021 that they stopped doing things they usually enjoy. Councilwoman Linda Lee from Queens, who leads the Mental Health Committee, thinks these new laws will give students the tools they need to lead conversations about mental health.

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