NEWARK, Del. - It’s early August and back to school season is here. Mental health is a top priority for schools across the area, from roundtables to funding and legislation, leaders want to make sure students and families have the resources they need."We have to, as a society, stop saying physical health and mental health and talk about health," stated parent Chris Locke.As students get ready to head back to school, book and bags aren’t the only things returning with them.
For some, mental illness is a serious issue and, for many, necessary resources are not available.Delaware Governor John Carney signed into law three bills mental health advocates say are monumental and life changing.
House Bill 300 establishes mental health services for middle school students across the state, something Delaware House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst says is critical."House Bill 300 is an extension of House Bill 100, which I did last year.
House Bill 100 closed the ratio of school psychologist social workers and mental health professionals in the elementary schools.