The Value of School Psychologists
We currently have a significant shortage of school psychologists across the country, which leads to a lack of access to academic, mental, and behavioral health support services in schools. In order to address this shortage and the youth mental health crisis, we're asking Members of Congress to pass an FY2024 appropriations bill that includes critical investments to increase the number of school-based mental health professionals.
Our nation's children and adolescents are facing a mental health crisis. One in five students suffers from a mental health disorder and roughly 80 percent of children and youth who are in need of mental health services do not receive them. The majority of those who do receive mental health services will receive them in school where they are more likely to seek them out.
Meeting students' mental health needs improves students' ability to learn as well as ongoing safety and crisis prevention. School psychologists are specially trained to provide mental and behavioral health services in schools. They help schools successfully improve academic achievement, promote positive behavior and mental health, support diverse learners, create safe and positive school climates, strengthen family-school partnerships, and improve school-wide assessment and accountability. Without continued action from Congress, too many students will continue to go without key supports.
For more on the policies and priorities that we support, check out our policy platform.
Please direct any questions or meeting requests to NASP's Director of Policy and Advocacy, Kelly Vaillancourt Strobach or NASP's Manager of Policy and Advocacy, Maria Cornell.
Learn more about your state's ratio of school psychologists to students and how your community is being impacted by the shortage of school based mental health professionals at our State Shortages Data Dashboard.
School Psychology Shortages
Shortages in school psychologists has an impact on service delivery. Share this infographic on social media or print it out and give it to key decision makers in your district.
Additional Resources
School Psychologists: Improving Student and School Outcomes Research Summary
School Psychology Shortages Research Summary
A Framework for Safe and Successful Schools
NASP Practice Model
The NASP Practice Model represents the wide range of skills that school psychologists incorporate into their practice every day. More school psychologists means more of these critical services!
NASP Policy Platform
The vision of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) is that all children and youth access the learning, behavior, and mental health support needed to thrive in school, at home, and throughout life. Read NASP's Federal Public Policy and Legislative Platform to learn more about NASP's key federal priorities.