Pandemic has schools experiencing rising demand for mental health services

Switching between in-person and online learning, social distancing guidelines and other unexpected changes from the COVID-19 pandemic have led to more pressure on students and an increase in demand for mental health services.

To meet the rising demand, schools across the state are in the process of hiring over 500 additional psychologists, social workers, counselors, and school nurses with the help of funds from the $17.1 billion state K-12 budget signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last year.

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It included $240 million for school districts to hire staff to support students dealing with mental and physical health issues driven by the coronavirus.

"The pandemic reminded us that school-based mental and physical health professionals are not luxuries. Healthy students — physically, mentally, and social-emotionally — are better learners," Whitmer said in a statement. "Having skilled professionals in school buildings helps our kids get the supports they need so they can thrive in the classroom and beyond."  

School districts have until March 1 to hire staff to be eligible to apply for grants to fully fund positions with state money. 

"I certainly believe that Covid has created a bigger demand for mental health services," said Paul Clark, superintendent of Cheboygan Area Schools.

He said the Cheboygan district partners with the Thunder Bay Community Health Service.

"They provide both physical health and mental health services. Thunder Bay works with the families' insurance. All of their counselors are certified counselors," Clark said.

"As long as Thunder Bay is able to meet our needs, we will continue with their services.  At this time, Cheboygan will not apply for state funding for a mental health program," he added.

Harbor Springs Public Schools has a partnership with the Health Department of Northwest Michigan to provide mental health services for students.

"I think people are more stressed than ever before and I guess that does carry over to our population of students that are definitely not immune to the stressors around them," said Michael Behrmann, superintendent of the Harbor Springs schools. "(We) have two full-time mental health therapists and one part-time therapist. We also have 2.5 school counselors that work in our schools as well and a facilitator supporting Native American students."

Does Harbor Springs intend to apply for state funding to bolster or establish a mental health support program? 

"We are in the process of looking at this to decide whether or not we are applying for additional support," said Behrmann. "I am very proud of our present mental health support, but we could always use additional help."

Amy Scott-Kronemeyer is superintendent of the Sault Ste. Marie Area Public Schools and she said the district provides a tiered approach to mental health services.

Tier 1 focuses on social emotional learning which includes the Zones of Regulation, a cognitive-behavioral approach used to teach how to regulate feelings, energy and sensory needs in order to meet the demands of a situation and be successful socially.  

Tier 2 has culturally responsive supports that includes school behavior specialists, counselors, and Native American advisors. Tier 3 includes working with the Sault Health Adolescent Care Center.

Scott-Kronemeyer said the district also has school-based mental health services provided by a social worker from the Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District (EUPISD) that includes a plan of care and individual or group therapy.

She also said there is an Emergency Student Assistance Team (ESAT) which is a locally developed process that includes a team of EUPISD mental health professionals to districts that have a student level concern related to imminent risk. This is a non-disciplinary process designed to gather information and determine the need for a full risk assessment.

"All ESATs also include a Safety and Supervision Plan designed to mitigate safety concerns at school and home," said Scott-Kronemeyer.

Scott-Kronemeyer said the district will apply for the state funding.

"We always work to enhance and improve the programs we have. We have a good system because of our commitment to work together with community partners," she added.

For Gaylord Community Schools, superintendent Brian Pearson said, "Our counseling and social work department is creating avenues for meeting students' needs outside of the traditional school setting as well as addressing the additional student stress and burden that was presented through the pandemic."

Gaylord schools have 12 counselors/social workers on-site. 

"Seven of the 12 are district employees, the other five are provided through partnerships with the Health Department of Northwest Michigan and Alcona Health Department," said Pearson.

Pearson said Gaylord doesn't plan to apply for state funds.

"Our challenge is keeping the positions we have fully staffed," he said.

At the Johannesburg Lewiston Area Schools, superintendent Katy Xenakis-Makowski said the district will apply for the state funding.

"We hope to build onto our current model and add additional supports," said Xenakis-Makowski. "I believe there is a need for mental health support in all our schools and communities."

Xenakis-Makowski said Johannesburg Lewiston Area Schools has multiple levels of mental health support.

"We have some training in trauma and relationships with our ESD (Cheboygan-Otsego-Presque Isle Education Service District) for all of our staff including bus drivers and cafeteria classifications in addition to teachers and administrators. We also have a partnership with NEMCSA (Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency) to provide school success workers that help with all types of social bad behavioral needs. Finally, we have a partnership with Thunder Bay Community Health Service to provide onsite medical and behavioral health supports," she said.