IDPH offers $10 million to improve student mental health services

The Department of Public Health said Tuesday it will make nearly $10 million in grants available to strengthen student mental health services.

Per IDPH, $6.9 million of the funds, made available by the federal American Rescue Plan Act, will support grants around efforts to address the workforce, purchase mental health training materials and deploy programs and resources to improve student mental health.

The other $3 million will support efforts to identify mental health issues among students and provide the necessary education, resources, care coordination or training to improve outcomes.

The department said the grants build on its efforts to address youth mental health challenges, which include a programlaunched last fall to help pediatricians and other providers meet the needs of children.

“Our goal with this funding is to implement and enhance programs in schools and community agencies that focus on addressing the mental and physical health of school-age children,” department Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in a statement. “Every child in Illinois deserves the support necessary for long-term development and success.”