By Joseph Edelen

NEW CASTLE — Delaware public schools are once again receiving enhanced mental health care support.

At William Penn High School on Wednesday, Gov. John Carney signed House Bill 200 and House Substitute 1 for House Bill 5 into law, continuing legislative strides to offer such services.

The two measures respectively establish mental health units in high schools and allow Medicare reimbursement for medically necessary behavioral health supports for students, regardless of whether they have an Individualized Education Plan or an Individualized Family Service Plan.

“Two of the common themes that I’ve heard from behavioral specialists are ‘There is not enough of me to go around’ (and) ‘Who do I choose to help first?’ Those are two disturbing questions,” said Speaker of the House Valerie Longhurst, D-Bear, who prime-sponsored both acts.

Under HB 200, the mental health units will be phased in over three years, starting in fiscal year 2024, which began July 1. Once fully implemented, the legislation calls for a ratio of 250 high school students for one full-time counselor, social worker or licensed clinical social worker.

The bill also mandates a unit ratio of 700 high school students for the employment of a full-time psychologist.

The second bill enacted Tuesday — led by Sen. Nicole Poore, D-New Castle, in her chamber — would extend reimbursements for mental health resources, thus bolstering the availability and capacity of these benefits in schools.

“An IEP does not define a student, and mental health does not define a person, but for too long, those two things went hand in hand,” Sen. Poore said. “We know that whether or not you have an IEP does not remove you from mental health situations, issues, the daily grind of what might be holding you down as an individual but also as a student.”

Rep. Longhurst remarked on the extensive progress the General Assembly has made in recent years regarding mental health, specifically for students.

She led initiatives that, similarly to HB 200, would provide such care to elementary and middle schools, as well as spearheaded measures that established behavioral health wellness checks and supported the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Rep. Longhurst also backed a proposal that allows Delawareans to direct donations from their state tax refunds to the SL24: Unlocke the Light Foundation, an organization based in Newark that supports the mental health of high school and college students.

In a statement following the signings Wednesday, Gov. Carney thanked the legislative leaders for their work on prioritizing the mental health of children.

“One of the most important things we can do is make sure that our students have everything they need to be successful, and that includes providing resources to support their mental health,” he said. “This legislation will increase access to staff and services in their schools so that we can support students in and out of the classroom.