Why Mental Health Services in Schools Are Still Underfunded

Mental health is talked about everywhere now. It’s in our feeds, in our group chats, and sometimes even in school announcements. But when it actually comes to getting support at school? It’s often just not there.

A lot of schools claim they prioritize student wellness, but walk into any public high school and you’ll see the reality. Overworked counselors, barely any therapists, and long waitlists, if there’s even anyone to wait for.

📉 The Numbers Don’t Lie

Let’s break it down.

• The recommended ratio is 1 school psychologist for every 500 students.

• Most schools average around 1 for every 1,200 students, or worse.

• Some schools don’t even have one.

That means if you're struggling, your chances of getting real help through school are... slim.

💸 Budgets Reflect Priorities

School districts always say money is tight. But somehow there’s always funding for new security systems, testing software, or stadium upgrades.

Meanwhile, mental health support gets treated like a bonus feature, not something students actually depend on.

If students are expected to perform, participate, and “stay resilient,” we need systems that don’t leave us on our own when things get hard.

🔧 What Needs to Change

• Every school should have at least one full-time licensed mental health provider.

• Students should be able to ask for help directly, not jump through five steps or get brushed off.

• Mental health screenings should be just as normal as vision or hearing checks.

You shouldn’t have to hit rock bottom before your school takes your mental health seriously.

🧠 Final Thoughts

This isn’t about complaining. It’s about calling out a system that needs to do better.

We show up. We deal with pressure. We keep moving. But that doesn’t mean we’re okay, and schools need to stop pretending surface-level awareness is enough.

Because mental health support only matters when it's actually there.