GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (via WOOD TV) — Schools in Grand Rapids and Wyoming are adding school-based mental health specialists to provide psychological services to students. It is something school officials say are desperately needed.
"People are talking about mental health issues. I think the more we talk about them, the less stigma there is around disclosing 'I'm suffering from depression, I'm suffering from anxiety,'" said Kim Baron, director of health services for Grand Rapids Public Schools.
In Kent County, suicide is the second leading cause of death in people ages 15 to 24. According to the Kent County Health Department, one in five middle schoolers report having considered attempting suicide at some point in their lives, and 16% of high schoolers reported that they considered attempting suicide within the past year. Across the nation, suicide rates are rising, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
Last year, the state Legislature approved a $5 million expenditure through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to provide 60 schools statewide with $100,000 per year to staff and equip a mental health specialist.
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