The United States federal government's proposed FY2026 budget includes the elimination of approximately $1 billion in school mental health grants established under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) of 2022.
What the BSCA Grants Funded
The Act allocated approximately $2 billion over five years for school mental health services, covering hiring and training school counsellors, psychologists and social workers; establishing mental health crisis teams; and building community mental health partnerships across more than 5,000 school districts.
The State of Youth Mental Health
The CDC's 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 42% of high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness — the highest rate in the survey's history. Emergency department visits for self-harm among adolescents aged 12-17 increased by 63% between 2016 and 2022.
What Happens Next
For most school districts that relied on BSCA grants, there is no comparable state or local funding source to replace lost federal dollars. Districts in lower-income states and rural areas are expected to be hardest hit. Students, families, and administrators can contact their Congressional representatives to advocate for restoration of funding.