The Rising Demand for Mental Health Supports in K–12 Education

Kids practicing Yoga for mental health

Student mental health is no longer a side issue in education. It is a core challenge facing every district in the country. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, schools have begun to recognize student challenges with anxiety, depression, and behavioral concerns. At the same time, teachers are being asked to do more than ever, often without the support or resources they need. As a nation, we are not paying them enough to take on a new challenge as big as this.

To date, most often, a child's mental health needs are not flagged until there is a glaring problem and the Department of Health and Family Services is taking over, trying to do damage control for a child who has experienced traumas beyond what could have been, if only there had been earlier intervention. This is a systemic issue. Governors, state superintendents, and legislatures are all paying attention. Across the country, student mental health is now a priority in 22 state budgets, agency programs, and district initiatives.

In 2022, a study was completed by the Hopeful Futures Campaign, which gives each state a mental health report card. Data points studied include the school counselor-to-student ratio, school social worker-to-student ratio, and goals for future ratios to improve. You can find out where your state or sales target states rank by downloading the file below:

school mental health report card.pdf

Download PDF • 6.37MB

What the Data and Budgets Tell Us

The stigma of getting help has been reduced in recent years. Recent surveys show that over 70% of public schools have seen an increase in students seeking mental health support. But fewer than 50% report having enough mental health staff to meet demand. There is a shortage of counselors, but the gap is even wider in education.

State leaders are responding. In 2025, twenty-one governors named student mental health as a top education priority in their budget proposals. They are allocating major resources:

• Virginia invested over $500 million in school-based mental health under its Right Help, Right Now plan.

• California continues its multi-year rollout of the $4.7 billion Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, which includes funding for school-based care.

• Texas, Florida, Massachusetts, and Indiana expanded programs for telehealth, trauma-informed practices, and resilience-based learning.

• Kentucky and Louisiana created new grant streams to help schools hire mental health professionals and adopt early warning systems.

These budget decisions signal a long-term shift. Mental health support is no longer optional for schools. It is expected. And states are tying funding to results.

Teachers Are Carrying Too Much

In most school districts, the first line of defense for mental health is still the classroom teacher. Teachers are expected to notice changes in behavior, flag emotional distress, and often intervene, without formal training or support systems. This model is not sustainable. Educators are burned out and most are not trained in mental health. Many are already overwhelmed and therefore leaving the profession.

Almost every time I meet a teacher, they ask me how to get out of teaching and into working in the edtech space. At the same time, schools are under pressure to identify student needs earlier and show improvement in attendance, safety, and academic performance.

Technology can help. But only if it is designed to work in real classrooms and within real school constraints. That means AI-driven, intuitive tools. It means clear pathways for follow-up. And it means aligning with how schools and states already allocate resources.

Assessments Are Becoming the Norm

Universal mental health screeners are becoming part of the school day in many districts. These assessments, sometimes delivered digitally or gamified, help schools identify students who need more support. Some states are even considering mandates for early identification tools.

But schools need more than assessments. They need systems that connect those assessments to real learning and interventions. They need data tools that can show what is working. And they need partners who understand how to align mental health strategies with state funding streams and policy goals.

My Experience in This Space

I’ve spent more than two decades working in public sector sales. I specialize in K–12 and state-level government. I help companies grow by aligning product positioning with state policy, public funding, and the priorities of education leaders. I have crafted custom strategies for several technology companies looking to expand their sales for their solution to support mental health needs for K–12 students.

In the past I proved my worth with overwhelming success. I helped scale a financial technology company that served the education sector. I led the company’s sales strategy from the ground up. My work contributed to adoption in more than 30 states, including 17 at the statewide level. It also played a direct role in securing a $95 million capital investment and driving the company to a $200 million valuation.

I don’t just build sales playbooks. I study governors’ agendas. I track state budgets. I understand procurement rules, grant cycles, and funding formulas. I know how to move deals through long sales cycles that involve multiple stakeholders. And I provide hands-on support throughout the process of executing the plan, from early engagement to signed contract.

A Call to Mental Health Vendors

If you’re building tools to support mental health in K–12, this is your moment. State dollars are available. Districts are looking for real solutions. The need is high, and the funding is in place.

But success in this space takes more than a good product. You need the right strategy. You need to speak the language of policy. You need to know how the money flows and how to position your solution accordingly. If you’re ready to scale into schools and state agencies, I can help.

Let’s make sure every student gets the support they need—early, consistently, and without putting more pressure on teachers.

Book a discovery call with Melody today to find out if we are aligned to elevate your sales.