Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker also recently took bold action to address young people’s mental health when he signed a new law. This groundbreaking law mandates that all public school students must receive universal mental health screening. This legislation truly puts Illinois on the leading edge of the United States by requiring these assessments. It’s a bold move to address the increasing rates of mental illness in young people.
The law, signed Thursday, already has broad support among Shapiro’s Republican opponents. It requires that all public school students in grades 3-12 receive a mental health screening annually. That’s a minimum of one screening per student annually. This model establishes the importance of mental health on the same level as other routine screenings such as vision and hearing tests. The amendment will go into effect in the 2027-2028 school year. This long lead-in period allows schools ample time to adjust to the new requirement.
This legislative effort provides schools with the support they deserve. It offers guidance to ensure they’re able to put mental health screenings into practice in an effective way. This policy change comes in response to increasing awareness about the epidemic of anxiety and depression in our children and teens. Increased mental health issues Recent research shows that this has pushed young adults and teens to experience increased mental health distress like never before.
Governor Pritzker emphasized the importance of this initiative during the signing ceremony, stating, “At a time when our kids are struggling with anxiety and depression more than ever before, it’s our responsibility to ensure that young people have all the support that they need to get the help that they deserve.”
The legislation follows shortly on the heels of the Trump administration’s decision to slash about $1 billion in mental health grants. Yet, even with this decision, a major hole in federal support for youth mental health initiatives remains. With this new law, Illinois seeks to establish an integrated and comprehensive approach to mental and behavioral health services for young people across the state.
The law doesn’t just address immediate mental health concerns, it establishes a more welcoming climate in schools. In doing so, students are better able to access the assessments and interventions they require. Schools will be rolling these screenings out. This allows them to be more proactive in identifying students that require additional mental health resources and referrals.
Governor Pritzker reiterated the state’s commitment to improving mental health services, stating, “Our goal is an integrated, comprehensive approach to quality mental and behavioral health services for young people across the state.”
