Opinion: School social workers make all the difference for Michigan students

The state legislature should fully fund programs that support the mental well-being of Michigan students.

When other kids slammed my student Charlie’s locker shut, made fun of him for not having friends, and hid his belongings, Charlie’s only way to react was to yell. Other 6th graders noticed and avoided him. Charlie was alone, even though he was surrounded by people. Unsurprisingly, Charlie’s grades in my class dropped.

Charlie had struggled to connect with his peers since 1st grade. In elementary school, he was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and articulation deficits. An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) was created for Charlie when he was three to help with speech. Later, these services were expanded to include occupational therapy to help meet his sensory needs. Eventually, the school’s social worker was also added to the IEP. Working with her helped Charlie learn social skills and how to react better to negative situations with his classmates. It was a long road, but at least Charlie received help. 

Students like Charlie, who suffer from depression, sometimes scream and get into fights. They tend to give up on work easily, often leading to learning loss and lower grades. When Charlie was in a state of depression, even the best lesson plans couldn’t get him to focus or enjoy his time in my classroom. 

School social workers can help students learn how to cope with such challenges, making them more likely to be successful adults. Unlike Charlie, however, many students in Michigan don’t have access to one. In fact, there are 1,051 students for every school social worker, while the suggested ratio is 250 students for one. In 2022, Mental Health America reported that approximately 17% of 12-17-year-olds in Michigan have had a major depressive episode. This is higher than the national average of 15%. 

Our schools need social workers who can work with special education students like Charlie and students in our general population, but Michigan’s education funding doesn’t allow for this. In fact, in the summer of 2024, the Michigan legislature cut mental health funds. To ensure our students have access to more social workers, our policymakers must restore the full $300 million to the School Aid Budget for Mental Health. 

In doing so, social workers will be able to help students like Charlie build perseverance and social connections with peers. Additionally, they can support students as they deal with peer pressure and learn to understand social cues, ultimately helping them learn how to self-regulate during stressful situations.  

Michigan must also recruit more people to become social workers. My school district received a grant to hire more, but it took months to find enough qualified individuals to fill the positions. This meant kids who needed help had to wait. 

Legislators should continue to fund the Student Mental Health and Retention Training (SMART) program. This program offers internship grants to assist future mental health professionals during their unpaid internships. During the past two years, it has helped over 150 individuals cover the cost of their SSW internships. Currently, the program is set to stop on September 30, 2027 (or earlier if the funds are exhausted). If it sunsets, our students could lose access to the mental health professionals they so desperately need

Too many of us can name a child who struggles with mental health. The interventions my school’s social worker provided helped Charlie know how to cope with his struggles and learn how to navigate difficult situations. I’ve stayed in touch with Charlie; today, he is a Wayne State University student on a scholarship studying to be a social worker so he can give kids the support that meant so much to him. Michigan needs to find ways to support the mental well-being of all students so that they fulfill their potential and become productive citizens.

Note: The student’s name has been changed to protect their privacy.