Arizona House moves to end mental health education in schools

The 27-22 preliminary vote in the Republican-controlled House came despite objections from several lawmakers who argued students need classroom access to such programs and guidance counselors to help address depression and suicide prevention.

But Rep. Lisa Fink, R-Glendale, argued that schools are overstepping their bounds.

"This bill recognizes ... the right of parents to be over the mental health of their children," Fink said. Beyond that, she argued that such instruction "is taking monies and time away from academic education."

Rep. Stephanie Simacek, D-Phoenix, said her experience as a member of the Deer Valley Unified School District governing board convinced her that students need more mental health support, not less.

"One of the worst text messages I can get as a school board member is that a child has taken their own life," Simacek told colleagues. She noted she received such a message on Feb. 10, the same day the House Education Committee debated the bill. Since then, she said, she received another notification regarding the suicide of an eighth-grade student.

"Oftentimes, public schools are the only place our students have to go and share with professionals — psychologists, social workers — what they are going through," Simacek said. "If this is removed from them, we will continue to see this crisis continue."

Fink maintained that nothing in her bill prevents teachers from notifying parents if they believe a child needs help. However, she questioned the efficacy of school-based services.

"Actually, we're seeing a decline in academic performance; we've seen a decline in mental health," Fink said. She suggested current efforts might be making things worse because services are not always provided by licensed professionals.

The measure drew support from Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix.

"Schools should not be in the business of mental health care," Gress said. "They should be in the business of educating children. Let the mental health professionals who are licensed by the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners take on that charge."

Rep. Betty Villegas, D-Tucson, argued that many families cannot afford private certified providers.

"A lot of them don't take insurance, or they do not take certain types of insurance," Villegas said. "Maybe that's the bill we should be working on."

Fink's measure, House Bill 2093, would repeal the entirety of the 2021 law. That law required instruction to cover the relationship between physical and mental health and behaviors that promote well-being, developed in consultation with the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Rep. Sarah Liguori, D-Phoenix, chided Republicans for reducing school mental health care while simultaneously opposing gun restrictions.

"We often hear that better mental health care is why we don't need to resolve the issues around gun control," Liguori said. "And now we're seeing both sides of the coin here... I think we're ignoring both the problem and the solution."

A final roll-call vote in the House will send the measure to the Republican-controlled Senate.