Seattle students want more mental health funding — and say in how it's spent

As the city crafts its next budget, a group of Seattle students is pushing for more mental health funding — and more say in how it’s spent.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell’s proposed budget directs $19.25 million for youth mental health and safety. But the Seattle Student Union says more money is needed. They also called for a new youth advisory council with the power to sway where the money goes.

"We're inside the schools, so we should be able to have a say in how this money is being spent," said Leo Falit-Baiamonte, a sophomore at Nathan Hale High School and a member of the union.

Harrell's two-year spending plan builds on earlier investments from the 2024 mid-year supplemental budget, including about $5 million for in-person therapy at school clinics, $4.25 million for student safety initiatives, and about $3.86 million for telehealth services.

RELATED: No resource officers, more counselors: How Seattle hopes to improve school safety

The budget also expands things like resources for early identification of mental health needs and expanded outdoor enrichment programs. Callie Craighead, a spokesperson for Harrell's office, said the plan is based on input from 150 stakeholders, including parents, teachers, experts, and students.

"We are really seeking to take a holistic and research-driven approach to improve youth mental health, wellness, and safety," Craighead said in a statement.

But some students say current funding — and the proposed budget — aren't enough. Several students from the Seattle Student Union spoke at the city's first public budget hearing Wednesday.

RELATED: Seattle leaders fall short on promised $20 million for student mental health

Falit-Baiamonte said Nathan Hale High School students got a survey asking about their mental health. But, he said students who were deemed "at risk" in December didn't get services until the following May because the school doesn't have enough counselors.

Colby Tran told the City Council he's noticed a pattern after something traumatic — like gun violence —happens at or near Garfield High School, where he's a senior.

"For the next week or so after each event, students have counselors they can speak to to vent their feelings and get things off their chest. But once the week is over, school seems to be business as usual," Tran said. "Trauma doesn't just last a week. Mourning doesn't just last a week."

Tran said he wants mental health to be more consistent throughout the school year, and for students to have safe spaces to "take care of their feelings with professional help." He also called for more of the money to go "directly into schools."

RELATED: No off-campus lunch, more police: Seattle Schools considers safety changes amid gun violence concerns

Students also expressed frustration with having to voice these concerns to the City Council again. After months of advocacy by the Seattle Student Union and others in the wake of a deadly shooting inside Ingraham High School, the previous Council set aside $20 million for student mental health last November — only for it to be cut in half months later.

In August, the Council voted against restoring the full funding, instead adding an additional $2.5 million back to the pot.

"It's frustrating to have to go and fight for something that should be a basic right, like mental health resources in schools," said Falit-Baiamonte.

RELATED: Seattle City Council votes against restoring student mental health funds back to $20 million again

Craighead, the mayor's spokesperson, said Thursday the Council didn't provide a clear plan to spend those funds, but Harrell is committed to supporting Seattle students.

"While we understand that there may be frustration from some of the students who advocated for the initial investment, we believe we are taking a thoughtful, research-driven approach to prevent and proactively identify youth mental health challenges and offer support — both clinical and non-clinical — when needed," Craighead wrote in a statement.

"We appreciate their perspective, and those perspectives of other Seattle students, and the 150 youth, parents, teachers, mental health experts, and community stakeholders who helped us develop this plan."