Colorado’s efforts to support student mental health face a major setback following the abrupt termination of a key federal grant.
The Trump administration’s recent decision to revoke $1.5 million in annual federal funding for Colorado’s student mental health services has sparked strong criticism from state education officials and mental health advocates. The funding cut affects a five-year School Based Mental Health Services grant awarded in October 2024, which was intended to provide support through 2029.
On April 29, the U.S. Department of Education notified the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) that the grant would end in late 2025, just over one year after the program’s launch.
“We are deeply disappointed by this decision,” said Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova. “Addressing the mental health needs of students remains one of the most urgent priorities identified by school and district leaders throughout Colorado.”
Córdova explained that although no funds had yet been distributed to schools due to the program’s early stage, the grant aimed to assist districts in recruiting and retaining mental health professionals and to help existing practitioners specialize in school settings. “The grant was designed to support local education agencies in recruiting and retaining school mental health professionals,” she said.
The termination is part of a larger federal rollback that has cut nearly $1 billion from school mental health funding nationwide. Critics warn that such reductions undermine critical services during a period of sharply rising mental health challenges among students.
Kevin Vick, president of the Colorado Education Association (CEA), said the loss of this funding will further strain Colorado’s already limited resources. He stressed that Colorado is among the least prepared states to absorb federal cuts due to ongoing budget constraints. “We are one of the least ready states to be able to absorb cuts from the federal government in our school system,” Vick said.
Highlighting the growing demand for school-based mental health support, Vick pointed to a significant rise in anxiety, depression, and suicide attempts among students both nationally and locally. “There generally has been a significant increase in the amount of reported cases of anxiety and depression among students,” he said. “There have been increases in hospitalizations with symptoms of acute mental health stress.” According to data from the Colorado Children’s Campaign, emergency room visits for mental health issues among children more than doubled between 2016 and 2021, while visits related to self-harm tripled during the same period.
The CEA, which represents educators and school employees statewide, advocates for the well-being of both students and staff. “A school overall is like an ecosystem,” Vick explained. “You need the well-being of adults and the caregivers to be able to effectively have well-being for students. You can’t isolate the two.”
Despite the federal setback, Vick noted that the CEA successfully advocated for a $400 million increase in Colorado’s education budget this year. He said this additional funding will help preserve key mental health positions in some districts. “That translates to a number of positions being preserved within school districts specifically for this work,” he said.
The association is also partnering with the Colorado Department of Education and the American Psychiatric Association to expand training and support for school staff. “We’re anticipating it’s going to really bring some good results for our educators and for students,” Vick said of the collaboration.
While continuing their advocacy at both the state and federal levels, Vick urged communities to support the mental health professionals currently working in schools. “If you have a trusted mental health professional working in your school, treat them well,” he said. “They are a very valuable asset.”
Vick emphasized that maintaining well-trained, cohesive school teams is critical for identifying and supporting students in crisis. “Schools are kind of the ultimate team,” he said. “It’s not just a classroom teacher that’s important. It’s the food service personnel, the bus driver. Everyone needs to have a certain awareness.” He stressed that while everyone plays a role, those supporting students must have the proper training and knowledge to be effective.
Both Córdova and Vick reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining and expanding school-based mental health programs despite the loss of federal funding. However, with growing student needs and limited local resources, the future of these services in Colorado remains uncertain. “We are concerned that we’re going to be struggling to meet student needs,” Vick said.
