Mental Health in Eagle County Schools
If there were a place that could set a shining example for what a community and its schools can accomplish out of love for its children – let that be here and let it be now.
A silent epidemic is upon us.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), up to one in five kids living in the U.S. shows signs or symptoms of mental health disorder. If that isn’t hard enough to swallow, in Eagle County, the statistics are shocking.
Healthy Kids Colorado 2017 Survey shows that Eagle County student mental health issues are rising rapidly.
EFEC is committed to identifying and backing a new approach to mental health support for students in schools. We seek to ensure that every Eagle County School is staffed with a mental health professional, and that each professional has the resources they need to be effective.
“In U.S. public schools today, it’s estimated there is one school psychologist for every 1,381 students. The National Association of School Psychologists recommends one psychologist for every 500 to 700 students.”
In ECS, we have approximately one school psychologist for every 1,167 students. We recognize this is not adequate for our students or teachers. We are working closely with the District and collaboratively with mental health organizations and local nonprofits to secure funding that will support the mental health services our students’ need.