A recent decision by the Trump administration to revoke $1.5 million in annual federal funding for student mental health services in Colorado has drawn sharp criticism from state education leaders and mental health advocates. The cut targets a five-year School Based Mental Health Services grant initially awarded in October 2024, which was intended to fund supportive services through 2029.
On April 29, the U.S. Department of Education informed the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) that the grant would be terminated at the end of 2025, just over one year into the program’s rollout.
“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 noted that although no money had yet reached schools due to the early phase of implementation, the grant was intended to help districts recruit and retain mental health professionals and re-specialize current practitioners to serve in school settings. “The grant was designed to support local education agencies in recruiting and retaining school mental health professionals,” she said.
The decision comes amid a broader federal rollback of nearly $1 billion in school mental health funding nationwide. Critics argue that this move undermines essential services at a time when mental health challenges among students are rising sharply.
Kevin Vick, president of the Colorado Education Association (CEA), said the grant’s termination will put additional strain on already stretched resources in the state. He warned that Colorado is particularly vulnerable to such cuts because of its long-standing education budget challenges. “We are one of the least ready states to be able to absorb cuts from the federal government in our school system,” Vick said.
Vick emphasized the increasing need for school-based mental health support, citing a spike in anxiety, depression, and suicide attempts among students both nationally and in Colorado. “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 the Colorado Children's Campaign, emergency room visits for mental health reasons among children more than doubled between 2016 and 2021, with visits for self-harm among Colorado children more than tripling during the same period.
The CEA, which represents school employees across the state, advocates for both student and educator well-being. “A school overall is like an ecosystem,” Vick said. “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 pushed for a $400 million increase in Colorado’s education budget this year. He said this funding will help preserve critical 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 working with partners such as 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 new partnership.
While the CEA continues to advocate at both the state and federal levels, Vick urged communities to support the professionals already doing the work. “If you have a trusted mental health professional working in your school, treat them well,” he said. “They are a very valuable asset.”
Ultimately, Vick stressed that maintaining strong, well-trained school teams is essential to 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 emphasized that while everyone plays a role, it’s crucial that those supporting students have the proper training and knowledge to help them effectively.
Both Córdova and Vick have reaffirmed their commitments to finding ways to sustain and expand school-based mental health programs despite the loss of federal funding. However, with student needs growing and local resources limited, the future of mental health support in Colorado schools remains uncertain. “We are concerned that we’re going to be struggling to meet student needs,” Vick said.
