Minnesota Lawmakers Target Children’s Mental Health Treatment
A Minnesota lawmaker has launched an effort to increase the availability of in-school mental health treatment for students, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. As a fourth-grade teacher, state Sen. Julie Sabo (DFL) witnessed the benefits of having counselors from outside agencies "work closely with ... school psychologists, teachers and family members." Allowing kids to be treated in school removes the concern and the reluctance many parents of children who need mental health treatment have about seeking private counseling on their own, the Pioneer Press. To this end, Sabo proposed a bill (SF 1058) that would allocate $150 million towards implementing and augmenting mental health services in schools. However, after a companion House bill was criticized in committee last week, Sabo revised her proposal "to request an interim study on the issue, which she hopes could lead to a comprehensive plan." Sabo said, "The gist of it is screening and early intervention [for children]. We've been responding to crisis and not solving problems."
A Popular Issue
Sabo is one of just several Minnesota lawmakers targeting children's mental health services, as state officials estimate that 71,000 children have "severe emotional problems" -- and of the 32,000 in this group lacking private insurance, only 2,000 are currently receiving treatment through public programs. Attorney General Mike Hatch has filed suit against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, alleging that the insurer "is not paying for covered juvenile mental health services." And while Gov. Jesse Ventura (I) has not called for an increase in funding for mental health programs in his proposed budget, he would expand both physical and mental health coverage for children. In addition, the governor has proposed a state-funded suicide prevention program. Other related measures include a proposal from Rep. Harry Mares (R) and Sen. Sandra Pappas (DFL) (SF 0940) that would implement a $1.5 million pilot program for school mental health grants (O'Connor, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/20).
