Ample evidence demonstrates how deeply impactful school-based mental health services can be. By reducing the systemic barriers to care, more youth at Minneapolis schools can access this support. “I constantly saw students who needed a higher level of mental health support than I had time to give them,” says Kristen Viscarra, school counselor now turned school-based therapist. “I could give caregivers lists of therapists, but because of barriers like cost, transportation, and simply having the ability to take time off work to drive their students to appointments, it was difficult for students to get the support they needed.” A recent study by University of Minnesota professor Ezra Golberstein showed a significant drop in self-reported suicide attempts among 6th- to 12th-grade students as a result of school-based mental health program implementation in Hennepin County.
Despite this compelling evidence, school-based services are in serious financial jeopardy. Local funding cuts have put these services at risk and will make them more and more difficult to maintain at schools. The Minneapolis school district budget deficit has caused a funding gap for all school-based mental health service providers, with providers making difficult decisions to reduce or eliminate these crucial services at some schools. Federal funding cuts will only make these cuts worse, making Minneapolis and youth across the state feel the impact. A recent stop work notice from the federal Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration rescinded up to 27.5 million dollars from the DHS Behavioral Health Administration, further crippling school-based mental health programming in Minneapolis.
School-based mental health providers are crucial to keeping the promise of supporting youth at schools and meeting families where they are. Embedding mental health providers at schools helps make mental health care services accessible for families and students who would otherwise face additional barriers to receive this support. Watercourse Counseling Center stands out as a Minneapolis school-based mental health provider offering families a cultural and linguistic connection.
Bilingual or bicultural providers are rarely available to assist with navigating our healthcare system or connecting families to service providers who understand their language and culture.
What sets Watercourse apart is its dedication to reducing barriers to mental health care by offering school-based mental health services that are embedded at schools and offer linguistically and culturally responsive care. A newly incorporated Trauma Systems Therapy for Refugees is designed to reduce barriers to care, supporting some of Minneapolis’ highest free and reduced lunch and English Language Learner schools. Watercourse’s Cultural Brokers offer an understanding of cultural context and work alongside our school-based therapists to promote healing, from cultural trauma and stress related to the resettlement experience, improving understanding of the family’s specific situation and needs, cultural factors, and societal pressures.
“There is magic in school-based therapy that isn’t possible in an office-based setting,” says Watercourse school-based therapist Jessica Vazquez. “Being a part of my clients’ community allows for a much richer therapeutic relationship. School-based positions allow therapists to reduce stigma and join communities in authentic ways.”
Watercourse’s early intervention mental health services help Minneapolis youth have equitable access to mental health care, experience improved emotional well-being, and stay engaged in their education, ensuring students remain at grade level or return to it as early in their education as possible. By offering this support, Watercourse helps support youth in the classroom and at home.
Minneapolis needs community support, advocacy, and funding to help ensure that school-based mental health services remain in schools. Our youth need your support, now more than ever.
