Investing in students' social-emotional
learning and mental health
Supporting student wellness by the numbers
More funding available for SEL and mental health since the COVID-19
pandemic
1. ESSER (Federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief)
2. Student
Opportunity Act (Massachusetts)
3. SEL and Mental Health Grants
What is SEL?
Equity Lens
- Leading professional development on culturally responsive practices
- Ensuring that universal mental health screenings are available in multiple languages and appropriate for students' cultural backgrounds
- Developing racially equitable systems for responding to student needs
- Empowering family and community voices that have been historically underserved
Most districts have increased staffing to support student wellness
Between 2018 and 2023, 81% of school districts in Massachusetts
increased the full-time equivalent (FTE) of SISP. Around 70% of
districts added up to 10 FTE, and 11% of districts added 10 or
more. One in five districts made no change or reduced SISP staff.
Districts increased wellness-related support positions by 33%
Explore trends in SISP staffing in your school district
SISP staffing levels vary most in districts with higher percentages of low-income students
A case for universal mental health screening
Investing in our youngest students
Making mental health a statewide priority
- Establishing a statewide program through the University of Massachusetts to help school districts implement equitable, culturally responsive, and developmentally appropriate behavioral health services and supports
- Creating a student advisory committee to develop and implement school-based programs that promote behavioral health and wellness
- Limiting suspensions and expulsions in favor of alternative remedies such as mediation, conflict resolution, restorative justice, and collaborative problem-solving
- Requiring school committees to adopt an emergency response plan for medical and behavioral health crises
- Setting expectations for interagency collaboration to deliver mental health services and resources
Additional Resources
Student Surveys
- Massachusetts Youth Health Survey (MYHS), Massachusetts Department of Mental Health
- Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Aligned Supports
Data Notes
- Adjustment Counselors: "School Adjustment Counselor — Non-Special Education" or "School Adjustment Counselor — Special Education"
- Guidance Counselors: "Guidance Counselor"
- Nurses: "School Nurse Leader" or "School Nurse — Non-Special Education" or "School Nurse — Special Education"
- Psychologists: "School Psychologist — Non-Special Education" or "School Psychologist — Special Education" or "Psychiatrist"
- Social Workers: "School Social Worker — Non-Special Education" or "School Social Worker — Special Education"