First part of child mental health initiative clears Connecticut Senate

Connecticut lawmakers have superior the primary of three wide-ranging payments that try to deal with what’s been described as a youth psychological well being disaster, which has been exacerbated within the state by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amongst different issues, the laws that cleared the Senate on a 33-1 vote would make cellular disaster facilities obtainable 24/7 statewide by June 30, 2023, and require the College of Connecticut to review the psychological well being results of social media and cell phone use on youngsters.

Two different payments, that are nonetheless awaiting motion within the Senate and Home of Representatives this session, deal with in-school and early childhood psychological well being packages, the state’s psychiatric staffing challenges and the supply of remedy. Sen. Saud Anwar, D-South Windsor, mentioned lawmakers hope to ship a transparent message to youngsters and oldsters that they perceive the challenges they’re going through and wish to assist.

“To the mother and father, we hear you,” mentioned Anwar, a medical physician. “We’re doing this as a result of we wish to guarantee that our youngsters, your youngsters, are secure and properly.”

All three payments have to be authorised by each chambers of the Normal Meeting earlier than the legislative session ends Could 4.

Following are some highlights of the general initiative:

MENTAL HEALTH CARE ASSISTANCE

Two of the payments present monetary assist to households unable to cowl the price of psychological well being providers for his or her youngsters. Within the invoice that handed the Senate on Friday and now awaits motion within the Home of Representatives, the Division of Kids and Households is required to develop eligibility requirements, based mostly on “social determinants,” for grants to households in want. One other invoice would offer grants to uninsured and underinsured households.

HELP FOR STUDENT ATHLETES

The Division of Schooling is required below the invoice that handed Friday to give you a psychological well being plan for pupil athletes to lift consciousness concerning the assets obtainable to them. One purpose of the initiative is to assist coaches acknowledge the indicators of psychological well being challenges and refer pupil athletes to acceptable providers. Earlier than the 2023 faculty 12 months, every faculty board will likely be required to implement the plan.

SOCIAL MEDIA STUDY

Underneath the identical invoice, the Neag College of Schooling at UConn will likely be required to conduct a research of the social media and cellular phone use of scholars and the affect on their psychological well being. The research will contain college students in grades kindergarten via grade 12. Findings from the research will likely be submitted to the Normal Meeting by 2024 for attainable future laws.

IN-SCHOOL HELP

The invoice additionally requires native faculty boards to rent or designate an current worker as a household care coordinator. That individual will work with faculty social staff, faculty psychologists and college counselors, whereas additionally serving as a liaison for the college system with psychological well being suppliers.

NO RECESS RESTRICTIONS

College officers will not be capable of withhold recess as a type of pupil self-discipline, below the identical invoice. The American Affiliation of Pediatrics has mentioned stopping a pupil from taking part in recess could be dangerous to the kid’s social and emotional wellbeing, Anwar mentioned.

DRUG STORAGE

The Division of Shopper Safety will likely be required below the invoice to develop new secure storage tips for pharmaceuticals and hashish with the intention to stop youngsters from accessing the substances. Indicators must be displayed in pharmacies and hashish retail outlets, after they ultimately open in Connecticut.