Starting in the 2027-2028 school year, public school students in Illinois will be required to have a mental health screening every year. This applies to all students from grades 3 through 12. The new law, signed by Governor JB Pritzker, makes Illinois the first state to require these screenings for all students. This move is a direct response to growing concerns about the mental well-being of children and teenagers. What Steps Is The Government Taking For Student Well-Being? Governor Pritzker explained that the new law is a step toward a more complete system for supporting young people's mental health. He noted that with more children struggling with anxiety and depression, it's important to make sure they get the help they need. The law will give schools the necessary support and resources to implement the screenings. It also suggests that schools point parents and guardians toward the BEACON Portal, a special online tool that helps families find mental health resources and services in their area. This portal was launched in January and is meant to make it easier for people to get information about care. What is Mental Health Screening? School mental health screening is a process that uses a special tool or survey to check on the emotional and social well-being of all students. Unlike a typical check-up for a specific problem, these screenings are for everyone in a school or a certain grade level. The goal is to identify students' strengths and needs early on so they can get help before a small issue becomes a big problem. Screenings can also ask students about their life satisfaction, their sense of belonging at school, and any challenges they might be facing at home, such as food or housing insecurity.Also Read: Illinois Becomes 1st State To Mandate Mental Health Screening For Students – Investing In The Future Of USWhy Are Mental Health Screenings Necessary In Schools? The decision by Illinois comes at a time when there's been a lot of national discussion about student mental health. Just two months before the bill was signed, the Trump administration cut funding for about $1 billion in mental health grants for schools. The Department of Education said the money was being used for "race-based actions" rather than for mental health services. This has created a new challenge for schools across the country. Meanwhile, national health organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have highlighted the seriousness of the issue, reporting that anxiety and depression are very common in children aged 3 to 17, and are a particular problem for teenagers. How Screening Helps Schools and Students Mental health screening can benefit students and schools in many ways: Identifies High-Need Students Screenings help find students who need immediate support, such as those at risk of self-harm. This allows schools to quickly connect students with the right help and ensures that anyone in danger receives an immediate safety assessment. Helps a Whole Classroom Screening data can show if many students in one grade or class have similar needs. This lets a school provide support to the entire group at once, which saves time and makes sure more students get the help they need. Informs School-Wide Programs About 20% of students have signs of a mental health disorder each year, but screening can help all students. If screenings show high stress levels, a school can teach coping skills to the entire student body to prevent problems from getting worse. Improves Access to Care Many families face barriers to getting mental healthcare. With over 70% of mental health services for youth provided in schools, screenings can help all students access care, which leads to better grades and higher graduation rates. Looks at the Whole Picture Screenings don't just look for problems; they also ask about positive feelings like happiness. This gives schools a complete view of a student's well-being and helps reduce the stigma of talking about mental health.