What Was the Goal?
I’m on a plane right now.
Just wrapped up a week working with students — laughing with them, listening to their stories, and talking about real things like anxiety, identity, and suicide prevention.
But as I sit here, one thought won’t leave my mind: What was the goal?
When over $1 billion in school mental health funding gets cut — including the very grants that helped schools hire counselors, psychologists, and social workers — I have to ask: Was the goal to save money? Or to send a message?
Because here’s what actually happens:
- People lose their jobs.
- Students lose access to trusted adults.
- And schools lose the staff that makes emotional safety possible.
These cuts hit two key programs:
- The Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant
- The School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Program
They weren’t “extra.” They were essential. They were helping build the pipeline of school-based professionals we say we don’t have enough of — and now we have even fewer.
Let me be clear: my work through Up To It isn’t funded by these grants. But I still feel the ripple.
Because fewer in-school mental health pros means more students asking me if I’ll be back next week. More teachers stretched. More schools hoping a one-hour assembly can cover what a full-time counselor used to.
So again I ask: What was the goal?
If we say student wellness matters — if we wear green ribbons and post about Mental Health Awareness Month — then why are the people doing the work the first to go?
I’m not interested in finger-pointing. I’m interested in action.
So if you’re a coalition member, school leader, a funder, a parent, or anyone who wants to keep this work going — let’s talk.
Because our kids don’t just need awareness. They need systems that show up.
Learn more about the mission, experience, and passion behind Up To It by visiting our About Us page and discovering how we help individuals build stronger connections and resilience.
