In a solid push to address mental health concerns among the city's youth, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, alongside the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) and Boston Public Schools (BPS), has provided an update on the progress of their joint efforts in mental health services for young people and families, as reported by the City of Boston. Rooted in a substantial $21 million investment over five years, the initiative has, within its first year, facilitated the training and licensure of 318 mental health clinicians, benefitting more than 2,000 youths directly.
Mayor Wu stressed the importance of mental health support, stating, "It's essential that every young person and family in Boston has access to the care and support they need because mental health is just as important as physical health," an opinion echoed by Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health for the City of Boston, who noted the development of new career pathways in behavioral health, and Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper highlighted the deep connection between students' academic and social, and emotional well-being, and celebrated the city's input into their health programs and services, they furthermore announced these updates in March, signifying a decisive step forward in their mission to extend a culture of care and understanding within the academic establishments of Boston.
Among the highlights of their report, is the partnership with UMass Boston and Franciscan Children's, aiming to augment the diversity of mental health clinicians available to the youth, with a particular focus on offering support to culturally and linguistically diverse populations in the city. The Transforming Boston Access to Mental Health program at UMass has already backed 175 students and served 446 youth and adult clients, "Our goal is to continue to build capacity to treat mental illness so that no child or adolescent in Boston is left without mental health support when they need it," Dr. Ojikutu told the City of Boston.
Moreover, tackling the intersection of structural racism and trauma with student wellness, the partnership between BPHC, BPS, and Flourish Agenda is paving the way for schools to rethink policies and embed mental health into the fabric of the community's daily life; in March 2025, Flourish Agenda even organized a Healing Day for students and staff from 10 schools which creates communal bonds while embracing individual cultures and identities, "These investments come at a critical time, as mental health challenges among youth continue to rise, we are grateful we can respond with comprehensive, equity-based programming that is shaped by young people, tailored for those who need it most, and supported by holistic wraparound services," said Samara Grossman, Director of BPHC’s Center for Behavioral Health and Wellness, in a statement obtained by the City of Boston.
This work is funded by federal funds and grants from several sources, including the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the U.S. Department of Education, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) - all channeled to sustainably impact more than 50,000 students, equip over 600 individuals for behavioral health careers and provide behavioral health training to over 1,000 youth-facing staff in the city.
For more information on available mental health resources, the BPS Helpline at 617-635-8873 stands as a beacon of support, or one can visit the BPHC’s website for a comprehensive guide to the services offered.
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