Supporting Child and Student Social, Emotional, Behavior, and Mental Health was launched on Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Education to provide information and resources for the development of mental health and social and emotional well-being among children. In this guide, you’ll find seven problems and seven solutions for delivering school- or program-based mental health care to students in preschool, kindergarten through 12th grade, and college and university settings. Schools, communities, and states all over the country are implementing the principles in this resource.

ARP ESSER monies and earlier rounds of ESSER funds can be used by state education agencies and local school districts to follow these suggestions and ensure that children receive the assistance they need. ARP ESSER alone provides state and local education authorities with $122 billion to guarantee that our children’s mental health, social, emotional, and academic needs are satisfied. “

As educators, we must assist students to develop the social, emotional, and behavioral skills they will need in order to fully access and engage in learning and maximize their potential and future prospects,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in a statement. “We are aware that our students have endured a great deal throughout this pandemic. As educators, we can’t unlock the full potential of children unless we also address their daily challenges. It’s our job as educators to make sure pupils have a solid social and emotional foundation so they can succeed in the classroom.

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the mental health of people in the United States and around the world over the past 18 months, and it’s vital to recognize this and applaud schools and other institutions that have developed new, promising approaches to serve children with mental health issues. Students’ social, emotional, and mental health must be supported in order to build a strong foundation for academic success. This paper is part of the Return to School Roadmap.