Mental health is a priority for Columbia Public Schools as students return.

Columbia, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Public Schools leaders say helping the district’s more than 19,000 students with their mental health needs is a top priority.

Students are still dealing with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and violence in schools, which adds to the mental pressure on children.

“About 1/3 of a student’s life is spent in school. We have the ability to influence children in our schools in constructive and meaningful ways.

This year, the Biden administration found nearly $300 million in funding for schools to expand mental health services.

Yearwood said there are many people students can turn to for mental health support.

“We have our counselors who work with our academics, we have our teachers who make referrals based on their knowledge of the talent, even parents can call and get help,” Yearwood said.

Worwood said the district makes student mental health a priority every year. For 10 years, CPS has worked with all other local schools. Boone County Schools Mental Health Coalition. The coalition collects student survey data and provides schools with information to better address student mental health.

“All the data is processed by the University of Missouri, so it’s compiled for us through the mental health checklist and then the checklist can be used by counselors, teachers and others,” said Michelle Baumstark, a CPS spokeswoman.

Yearwood says collaboration between the school, community and parents plays a big role in student mental health.