Advocate Today & Let Your Voice Be Heard!
Supporting LD 1203 and 858: Mental Health Services for Maine Students
PUBLIC HEARING on Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Room 208 – Cross Building
Maine is facing a critical shortage of mental health services for children. As of January, 422 Maine children are on waitlists to receive behavioral health treatment. The 2023 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS)2 results reveal concerning mental health trends among Maine’s children. Students experience varying levels of trauma and distress that significantly impact academic performance, attendance, and classroom behavior. Without adequate intervention, these challenges can evolve into long-term mental health complications, emphasizing the critical need for comprehensive school-based support systems to address these issues before they escalate and further compromise student well-being and educational outcomes. And even as we watch the behavioral health issues our children are facing is on the rise, the number of school-based clinicians decreased by over 95 clinicians from last school year to this school year due to funding. LD 1203 and 858 support school-based prevention programs –which we all agree we need more of. Behavioral health support in schools’ functions as a prevention program by addressing student needs before they escalate into more serious issues.
LD 1203 and LD 858 both purpose establishing grant programs through the Department of Education to help school districts contract licensed behavioral health providers. These proposal brings services directly to where students are – removing transportation barriers and reducing missed class time.
Schools benefit from increased resources to address behavioral health challenges, creating improved classroom environments that reduce learning disruptions and better support teachers and school counselors who manage complex student needs. These enhancements would strengthen educators’ capacity to implement evidence-based programming, ultimately fostering more effective educational settings that promote academic success and student well-being.
Families gain significant peace of mind knowing their children have mental health support available directly at school. This eliminates the logistical burdens of finding providers and coordinating transportation to appointments. This school-based approach facilitates improved communication with mental health professionals embedded within the local community who can work closely with parents, school counselors, teachers, and administrative staff.
Investments will pay dividends through:
- Improved graduation rates
- Reduced need for more intensive services later
- Stronger, healthier communities
- Long-term reduction in healthcare and social service costs
Support LD 1203 and LD 858 to ensure every Maine student has access to the mental health support they need to succeed.
To view LD 1203: Paper | Maine Legislature
To view LD 858: Paper | Maine Legislature
Join the Public Hearing! The public hearing for these bills is Tuesday, April 8, at 1 p.m. in the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, Room 208 Cross Building. There are different ways to offer testimony on LD 1203 and LD 858, such as in person by showing up to the committee room. You can also give virtual testimony or submit in writing. Instructions below.
Virtual Testimony
- Register at least 30 minutes before the hearing starts.
- After registering, you’ll receive details on joining via Zoom.
- When you log in, you’ll only see the committee members (that’s normal!).
- The committee will bring you on screen when it’s your turn to testify.
- You’ll have 3 minutes to talk. A timer may be visible, and you’ll get a reminder when time is up.
- After testifying, you can offer to answer questions—it’s okay to say, “I don’t know.”
Written Testimony
- Submit your written testimony here.
