Rural Schools Face Uncertain Future Due to Cuts in Mental Health Grants

Introduction to the Crisis

In parts of rural upstate New York, schools have more than 1,100 students for every mental health provider. In a far-flung region with little public transportation, those few school counselors often are the only mental health professionals available to students. This stark reality underscores the critical need for mental health support in rural educational settings.

The Impact of Grant Cancellations

Hennessey Lustica has been overseeing grant-funded efforts to train and hire more school psychologists, counselors, and social workers in the Finger Lakes region. However, those efforts may soon come to an end due to the Trump administration’s decision to cancel school mental health grants around the country. Lustica emphasized, “Cutting this funding is just going to devastate kids,” highlighting the potential harm to over 20,000 students in her 21 school districts who rely on these programs for mental health support.

Background on the Grants

The $1 billion in grants for school-based mental health programs were part of a sweeping gun violence bill signed by President Joe Biden in 2022 in response to the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. These grants aimed to help schools hire more psychologists, counselors, and other mental health workers, especially in rural areas. Under the Biden administration, the department prioritized applicants who showed how they would increase the number of providers from diverse backgrounds or from communities directly served by the school district.

Controversy Over Grant Cancellations

The Trump administration took issue with aspects of the grant programs that touched on race, saying they were harmful to students. An Education Department spokesperson, Madi Biedermann, stated, “We owe it to American families to ensure that taxpayer dollars are supporting evidence-based practices that are truly focused on improving students’ mental health.” This stance has been met with criticism from educators and mental health professionals who argue that the grants were crucial for addressing the mental health needs of students, particularly in underserved areas.

By ANNIE MA, AP Education Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) —
Hennessey Lustica poses for a portrait, Thursday, June 26, 2025, in Newark, N.Y. (AP Photo/Lauren Petracca)

Nationwide Impact

School districts around the US are feeling the pinch from the cancellation of these grants. Lustica learned of her grant’s cancellation in April in a two-page letter from the Education Department, which stated that her work violated civil rights law without specifying how. Lustica plans to appeal the decision, rejecting the characterization of her work as anything but ethical and essential for the well-being of her students.

Effects on Rural Communities

The strains on youth mental health are particularly acute in many rural school districts. In one upstate New York district, half the students have had to move due to economic hardship in the last five years, creating instability that can affect their mental health. A survey of students from sixth through 12th grade in one county revealed nearly half reported feeling sad or depressed most of the time, and one in three said their lives lacked clear purpose or meaning.

The Role of Schools in Mental Health

Schools often serve as the primary location for mental health services in rural areas, given the lack of private counseling options and transportation challenges. Danielle Legg, a graduate student who interned as a school social worker with funding from the grant program, noted, “Their access to mental health care truly is limited to when they’re in school and there’s a provider there that can see them, and it’s vital.”

Grant Programs’ Success

In the past three years, 176 students completed their mental health training through the program Lustica oversees, with 85% of them being hired into shortage areas. The program helped address staffing needs and inspired many to pursue careers in educational settings. Susan McGowan, a school social worker, described the grant cancellation as “really catastrophic,” emphasizing the difficulty in filling these positions and the importance of building capacity in staffing to support teachers and students.

Conclusion

The cancellation of mental health grants for rural schools poses a significant threat to the well-being and educational success of thousands of students. These programs were not just ancillary services but a lifeline for many young people struggling with mental health issues in areas where resources are scarce. The decision to end these grants underscores the ongoing challenges in prioritizing and funding mental health support in educational settings, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

FAQs

• Q: What led to the cancellation of the mental health grants for rural schools?
  • A: The Trump administration’s decision to cancel these grants was based on concerns over aspects of the programs related to race, which they believed were harmful to students.
• Q: How many students are impacted by the cancellation of these grants?
  • A: Over 20,000 students in Hennessey Lustica’s 21 school districts alone are expected to be impacted, with the actual number being much higher given the nationwide scope of the grant cancellations.
• Q: What role do schools play in providing mental health services in rural areas?
  • A: Schools often serve as the primary or only location for mental health services in rural areas due to the lack of private counseling options and transportation challenges.
• Q: What has been the response from educators and mental health professionals to the grant cancellations?
  • A: Educators and mental health professionals have criticized the decision, highlighting the critical need for these services and the devastating impact the cancellations will have on students, particularly in rural and underserved areas.