Alabama schools enhance mental health support as students return to the classroom

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — As students prepare to return to school, mental health remains a significant concern. The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that one in six children in the U.S., aged 6 to 17, experience a mental health disorder each year. To help cover this need across Alabama, the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) is collaborating with local schools and health providers to ensure students receive the mental health support they need.

“Any time there is a transition, whether it’s to the next grade level to a different school students are going to have that piece of anxiety or maybe even an adjustment period,” said Latoya Patterson, Coordinator of the Alabama Department of Mental Health ‘School-Based Mental Health Services.’

Since the launch of the School-Based Mental Health Initiative over a decade ago, Alabama has seen substantial growth in mental health coverage. ADMH received $4.5 million for the last 2 fiscal years (FY 24 and FY 25) to go towards the School Based Mental Health Initiative. The department received an additional $1 million to support the program starting in FY 26 (starting Oct. 1, 2025) for a total of $5.5 million in FY 26. Schools across the state now implement a three-tier plan to address mental health.

Tiers one and two are covered within each school district and typically focuses on prevention and early intervention. The process involves school counselors, therapists, and social workers who work with students within the school. Emily Littrell, Mental Health Coordinator for Shelby County Schools, said, “We’ve added school social worker positions that all of our students know that those people are sources of support that we can reach out your any help is needed.”

She added, “We educate our students in health coping skills to use to handle mental health challenges and the stressors of life skills that they can use when they are feeling overwhelmed and how to go about asking for help.”

Tier three is designed for students showing signs of a crisis, such as anxiety or panic attacks, which are commonly seen in adolescents. These students can be referred to one of the 18 mental health centers across the state that serve all Alabama schools. These centers can offer services and educational resources for both children and parents. The department has additionally launched Youth Peer Services and Parent Peer Services as part of a group of 5 Intensive Home Based Services.

“Sometimes parents just need to understand how can I help manage my child’s symptoms or some of the mental health things that may be going on that they might not be aware of and may be never been able to navigate that,” Patterson said. “They have other parents to step in and say ‘hey my child has experienced this they’re doing well. This is some of the things I was able to do.'”

The department also offers Intensive Care Coordination, In-Home Intervention, and Therapeutic Mentoring. Parents are advised to reach out to their child’s school counselor for more information on available resources.

Patterson encourages parents to talk to their children often and watch for any concerning changes. Sudden shifts in mood, increased irritability, withdrawal from social activities, or changes in sleep or eating patterns can all be indications of a mental health crisis.