U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas is pushing legislation that would expand health services offered in public schools – with the goal of reaching children and youth with mental health and addiction challenges early in life.
Salinas, D-Oregon, has made behavioral health a priority during her first term as a congresswoman for the 6th Congressional District, which includes Polk and Yamhill counties and portions of Marion, Clackamas and Washington counties. Salinas is co-sponsoring bills that would put $300 million in federal funding in place for school-based health centers that serve students, often in low-income families, and provide mental health care services for students.
Medical providers, often at federally backed health centers that serve low-income people, set up the clinics in schools and work with students, who are often on Medicaid. The clinics provide a variety of services, from physicals and treatment for minor injuries to drug and alcohol counseling.
Schools are already overburdened with tasks only marginally related to education. I can’t believe we’re adding healthcare to their list.
To be clear, health centers for kids: Excellent. Yes, let’s fund. Putting them in schools? Thank you, no. School is not intended to be a medical facility nor should it be. Triage whatever physical or mental ailments a kid may present then send them to professionals.
The health centers in schools help students stay healthy by offering preventive services and reduce stigma in the case of those who need mental health or addiction treatment, Salinas said.
The idea that in school health centers reduce stigma around mental health or addiction borders on ridiculous.
I think we agree that there is a need for these services, but we disagree, probably strongly, whether these things should take place in schools.