Children’s mental health bill comes out of committee, one step closer to more SEL and mental health support in schools

Educators for Excellence-Connecticut

Children’s mental health bill comes out of committee, one step closer to more SEL and mental health support in schools

March 25 — (Hartford) Children’s mental health bill HB5001 has passed out of the public health committee and into the next step of the legislative process. The bill will now be moved forward to the state house and senate for approval.

Educators for Excellence – Connecticut (E4E-CT) has been actively providing public testimony on behalf of teachers throughout the state in support of HB5001. Teachers and E4E-CT staff alike voiced their support for more SEL and mental health support in schools, specifically the need for additional staff and school-based mental health services. 

“We are grateful to the legislature for prioritizing children’s mental health during this session,” said Daniel Pearson, state director of E4E-CT. “Student mental health has been an ongoing issue since long before Covid, and has only been exacerbated since the start of the pandemic. We urge the House and Senate leadership to prioritize school-based support in this bill during the approval process.” 

Passing HB5001 would mean providing schools with additional mental health resources, giving teachers the support they need to be able to effectively teach the whole child. Schools are often places where early identification takes place, and additional staffing and school-based mental health services will allow schools to address issues as they arise. 

###

Founded by public school teachers, Educators for Excellence is a growing movement of more than 33,000 educators, united around a common set of values and principles for improving student learning and elevating the teaching profession. We work together to identify issues that impact our schools, create solutions to these challenges, and advocate for policies and programs that give all students access to a quality education. 
For more information, please visit e4e.org.