School-based therapy helps families, children in need

Saint Paul, MN (Source: Minnesota Public Radio)...Many children in Minnesota wait months for mental health services due to a severe shortage of providers. But some schools have managed to get their students to the front of the line by partnering directly with mental health agencies, a program that has served 8,400 children in the last two years.

School-based therapy is convenient for children and their families and schools, and helps students get back on track academically much sooner. But nearly $4.8 million in annual state funding for the three-year program could be in jeopardy as state legislators debate whether to continue the service.

Not continuing it would be a setback for parents who depend on such services. Among them is Clarence Scott, of Minneapolis, who has found parenting much harder since his wife died six years ago.

Scott, 56, he has no trouble making dinner for his two sons. But he's found it tough to juggle home and school as a single father.

His toughest challenge has come from his youngest son, 11-year-old Darrius, who went into a deep depression after his mother's death and struggled at school.

"No response. No laughing, no nothing," Scott said. "It's just like daydreaming. Just staring, you know, just shut down. You know something is wrong."

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