Maryland expands access to mental health services for students

In Maryland, an expansion of mental health services has recently taken place to better serve students enrolled in Medicaid. This initiative allows public schools to bill Medicaid for various behavioral and mental health services. These services are integral and include diagnostic evaluations, individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy, backed by licensed school psychologists and social workers. The Maryland Secretary of Health, Dr. Laura Herrera Scott, emphasized that this expansion addresses the pressing mental health needs of students, aiming to break barriers for better access to care across all schools in the state. However, the recent proposals in Governor Wes Moore's fiscal year 2026 budget have raised alarms among behavioral health advocates. These stakeholders worry about a potential $116 million cut to mental health funding, which they argue would severely affect young people's mental healthcare resources. Notables like Maryland Senator Shelly Hettleman have expressed concerns that the budget cuts could hinder essential services, from early intervention to crisis support, and even lead to job losses within the mental health sector. In tandem with this proposed budget cut, advocates are urging lawmakers to restore funding for the state's 988 helpline. Designed as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in 2022, this helpline has experienced substantial demand due to increasing awareness of mental health crises. The advocates assert that without the proposed $25 million of revenue reinvestment into 988 call centers, essential resources may dwindle, leading to longer wait times for desperate Marylanders seeking help. While funding for mental health services has seen improvements, such as the growing reach of the Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports, where 58,000 students benefitted in its initial months, the looming budget cuts threaten the sustainable provision of these necessary resources. With 28% of Maryland high school students reporting poor mental health consistently, the importance of maintaining access to mental health resources is undeniable. Recognizing that social-emotional wellness significantly correlates with academic success, both officials and advocates stress the need for robust mental healthcare systems to support students and the broader community.