California seeks to speed credentials for 10,000 direly needed school mental health counselorsConfronted with a shortage of school mental health counselors, the California Department of Education is seeking to bring 10,000 more professionals to campuses at a time when federal public health officials are calling for action to address the nation's growing youth mental health crisis. For years, educators have warned of a shortage of mental health professionals. "In the school setting, governments should invest in building a pipeline of school counselors, nurses, social workers, and school psychologists," the advisory states. We have really treated mental health differently than physical health and acted like it wasn't as important, when underneath it all, mental health is foundational to physical health." of School Counselors, said the proposal is "a good first step," but cautioned against sending "less qualified people" in the rush to address the crises.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 06, 2022 06:45 UTC