The American School Counselor Association recommends a ratio of 1 school counselor per 250 students. In New York, the recent ratio is 1 school counselor per 635 students, more than twice the recommended student to mental health practitioner. Furthermore, in situations where students require more specialized interventions, the recommended provider to student ratio is limited to 1 mental health provider to 50 students.

New York elementary and high schools need State support to address the mental health needs of the student population to foster a healthy learning environment that will contribute to developing creative, intelligent and prosperous adults. Unfortunately, based on The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report in 2020, mental health emergency room visits rose 24% among 5- to 11-year-olds and 31% among 12- to 17-year-olds. This trend has continued into 2024. Looking at CDC data from 2024, 21% of children ages 3 to 17 have been diagnosed with anxiety, behavior disorders, and or depression; and that does not include individuals who are undiagnosed. In addition, substance abuse has rose among United States adolescents ages 12 to 17; with 22% reporting drinking alcohol, 17% reporting using marijuana, 4% reporting misusing prescription pain medicine, and 10% reporting using illicit drugs in the last 30 days. Hence, schools require New York State subsidies to reverse this trend whereby every student will have the essential support services to thrive.