SLO County schools can now get more money for mental health services. Here’s how
A new San Luis Obispo County grant program is expanding funding for mental health services at local high schools.
The SLO County Behavioral Health Department’s “Pathways to Student Wellness” grant initiative will disperse $300,000 to help SLO County high schools expand their on-campus wellness centers, according to a Monday news release.
The money will be split between eight participating high schools, which will each receive $37,500 split into four installments, the release said. The first installment was issued to the campuses this spring.
Austin Miller, a counselor at San Luis Obispo High School, said in the release that the wellness center provides a wide range of services for students.
“A highlight this year has been a number of students who self-referred for assistance with substance use and were able to receive that support through our Behavioral Health staff,” he said. “This pathway for support speaks volumes to the collaboration between Behavioral Health services and the Wellness Center as a resource students and families trust.”
One high schooler said in the release that having mental health services at their school was a game-changer for them.
“Having services at the school has meant that I was able to get the support I needed,” they said. “My family has had a lot of stress and changes this year. If I had to go to a clinic for mental health services, I don’t think it would have happened.”
The county grant initiative is funded through the California Behavioral Health Student Services Act, the release said.
Wellness center outcomes for participating schools will be reported to the county twice a year to further inform mental health trends, gaps in access and other emerging needs.
“Expanding behavioral health and social-emotional learning services on school campuses through wellness centers creates meaningful opportunities for students to access support where they learn and grow every day,” county behavioral health supervisor Mandee Culbert said in the release. “The Behavioral Health Department is proud to partner with our local school districts in expanding these important services while remaining committed to pursuing additional sustainable school-based behavioral health opportunities through the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative.”
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