Even before COVID-19, there was a youth mental health crisis. In the decade prior, children and youth ages 5-19 in the U.S. experienced a 52%increase in mental health hospitalizations. And suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 24.The current global pandemic has created further anxiety and stress, and exacerbated and deepened equity divides. Schools are critical to leveraging any solution addressing the youth mental health crisis at scale. Not only are schools in direct, regular communication with children and youth, but schools can explore creative financing strategies to support a continuum of services.

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