Statement on $1 Billion in Cuts to Mental Health Grants for Schools

The following is a statement from Educators for Excellence Co-Founder and CEO Evan Stone following the U.S. Department of Education’s announcement that it will cancel $1 billion in mental health grants to schools.

“The U.S. Department of Education’s cancellation of $1 billion in school mental health grants that aimed to bring more qualified mental health professionals into schools directly undermines our ability to ensure that our students feel psychologically and physically safe. To eliminate the funding that sought to heal this country’s deep wounds after the horrific Uvalde school shooting—and to address the endemic psychological crises that lead our country’s students toward such violent acts—over a perceived win in the culture wars is education policy at its worst.”

“In the middle of a well-documented mental health crisis among young people, school districts need these investments not just to prevent school shootings, but also to improve chronic absenteeism and support students struggling with mental health challenges more broadly. The Trump administration’s retraction of funds committed through a bipartisan deal will be massively disruptive to schools and set a precedent that grants can be revoked any time an administration changes. At a time when three-quarters of schools report an increase in student symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma, we need more mental health supports for our students, from a more diverse, empathetic community of professionals—not fewer.”

Evan Stone

Evan Stone is the Co-Founder and CEO of Educators for Excellence.