UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (DC News Now) — A major step was made in Maryland to ensure mental health services are available to all students in Prince George’s County.
Dr. Elizabeth Faison, Associate Superintendent of Student Services in the county, said Friday was an exciting day.
“Today is fantastic … this isn’t happening everywhere and I think what the pandemic showed us is the need for our students to have mental health support in wellness,” she said.
School leaders were handed a check for $24,070,000 from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission and the Consortium on Coordinated Community Sports.
The funding will go to boosting in-school assistance, crisis intervention and staff training, enhancing mental health and wellness services throughout the school district.
Alondra Munoz, a senior at Dr. Henry A. Wise High School in Upper Marlboro, said it’s exciting to see so much emphasis and support for mental health awareness.
“Mental health is very important because if you don’t have good mental health you won’t be able to really focus in school and will lack motivation and not be in a good head space,” she said. “I think promoting the importance of good mental health especially for high school students is very important.”
There are 206 schools in Prince George’s County and 133,000 students.
