A proposed bill introduced in the 2023 Colorado legislative session seeks to add yearly mental health assessments for students ranging from sixth grade to seniors in high school. via ColetteBordelon
House Bill 23-1003, otherwise known as the School Mental Health Assessment, would have voluntary mental health evaluations administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment . Schools could decide whether or not to participate in the assessments.
“My son, who attempted suicide when he was nine years old in elementary school," said Jenet."He was just so distraught and at the end of his rope that he thought it would be better if he was dead.”“Perhaps we can start making a difference in turning around this rate of depression in our youth. That's critical at this moment," Jenet said.“The I Matter program was born out of that desire to create safe classroom spaces upon the return from COVID," she explained.
“We're just adding one more element to the program and creating that opportunity for a kid to interact with a human individual," explained Jenet."For some kids, taking a screener online may not be the appropriate tool. Some kids may not know about I Matter, some kids may not have access to a computer to do the screening. This is giving more access to schools who need it...
“Six sessions is a beginning, and through this program, we’ll help connect with other resources or insurance or other free programs as necessary, as the students need more support," Jenet said in response to the concern about only six free therapy sessions.“What scares me about this piece of legislation that sounds wonderful is how are we going to actually make sure that it does what it needs to do for kids?" Wilson asked.
“We continue to be very, very busy when it comes to mental health volumes," said Zaslow."We served just as many kids in 2022 as we did in 2021.” “This program is really designed to meet kids where they are, detect those problems early, and then refer them to services to hopefully get the support that they need sooner," said Zaslow."So that they're not sort of moving up in the system and ending up with more expensive or more acute problems with their mental health further down the line.”
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