News Update

Biden highlights youth mental health in State of the Union speech

The U.S. Department of Education will invest $240 million in grants to help schools tackle the youth mental health crisis, President Joe Biden announced during his State of the Union address Tuesday, Education Week reported.

The president said youth mental health remains an urgent priority, as rates of anxiety and depression among young people continue to climb. The pandemic, school shootings and community violence, social media and persistent inequities and racism have all contributed to the rise in youth mental health challenges.

“When millions of young people are struggling with bullying, violence, trauma, we owe them greater access to mental health care at school,” Biden said.

The grants, which follow a $1 billion investment last year, are intended to help schools hire more counselors and other mental health professionals.

Biden also called for other education reforms, including free pre-kindergarten for 3- and 4-year-olds, pay raises for teachers,  upgrades to school buildings, expanded career training and protections for LGBTQ youth, EdWeek reported.