2026 SESSION RECAP: Youth Mental Health

Mental health does not exist in isolation. It is shaped by the broader systems and conditions young people and families are navigating every day.

Federal policy decisions are already impacting that landscape. Cuts to Medicaid will not only affect health coverage and financial stability, but also access to mental health services, as Medicaid is the largest single payer for mental health care nationally.

At the same time, broader federal policy shifts are contributing to rising financial insecurity. When families are unable to meet basic needs, stress levels increase. That stress does not stay contained. It shows up in homes, in schools, and in the daily lives of young people.

This is all happening at a time when youth mental health is already in crisis.

A recent report shows that Virginia ranked 32nd in the nation for youth mental health.

The data from Virginia’s own youth survey tells an even more urgent story. Middle and high school students report alarmingly high levels of persistent sadness and suicidal risk.

These experiences are not evenly distributed. Girls report higher rates of persistent sadness, while Black and multiracial students report higher rates of suicidal ideation and attempts.

National data also shows that LGBTQ+ young people experience high rates of suicidal ideation and attempts.

For many young people, schools are one of the most consistent and accessible places to receive mental health support, making it one of the most important places to intervene.

A national survey found that roughly two-thirds of teens believe schools should play a larger role in mental health education and support.

But schools are currently under-resourced to meet that need.

Virginia falls below nationally recommended staffing levels for school psychologists, social workers, and counselors, according to a state report .

Youth mental health is also deeply connected to the environments young people are growing up in.

Factors like family economic stress, adverse childhood experiences, and lack of access to maternal mental health care all shape mental health outcomes. When families experience ongoing financial strain, stress levels increase , affecting not just caregivers but the well-being of young people as well.

This is why addressing youth mental health requires more than one policy solution. It requires a coordinated, cross-system approach that supports young people and families at every level.

This session brought forward important progress in school-based supports and crisis response, while also revealing clear gaps that remain.

The policies advanced this session begin to strengthen how Virginia responds to youth mental health needs, especially within schools.

But response alone is not enough.

Young people are navigating increasing stress, economic instability, and gaps in access to care. When those pressures go unaddressed, they show up as anxiety, depression, and crisis.

Without enough trained professionals in schools, early signs of distress can go unnoticed. Without early intervention, challenges escalate.

Without addressing the underlying conditions shaping mental health, the cycle continues.

Much of what happens next will depend on the state budget and how these policies are implemented.

Key areas to watch include:

• Funding for school-based mental health programs
• Investment in the mental health workforce pipeline
• Support for culturally responsive care
• Implementation of Medicaid navigation training in schools
• Expansion of school-based health centers

Some funding is currently proposed, including grants to support school-based health models and additional funding to support care .

At the same time, other proposals are unlikely to move forward this year, including funding for screenings and expanded programs .

Looking ahead, advocacy efforts will focus on:

• Moving from study to implementation of mental health screening tools
• Expanding and retaining the school-based mental health workforce
• Strengthening early intervention systems
• Ensuring schools have the capacity to deliver services effectively

There is also a continued need to address the broader conditions shaping youth mental health, including economic stability, access to health care, and family support systems.

This session moved important pieces forward. But the full picture is still taking shape.

Without sustained investment in early intervention, workforce capacity, and family support systems, too many young people will continue to face barriers to care.

Virginia has an opportunity to build a system that supports mental health before crisis happens. That work is still in progress.