Deming, N.M. – The toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of students has prompted innovative measures by Deming Public Schools in New Mexico. Brianda Alirdz, an 18-year-old senior at Early College High School in Deming, shared her struggles, stating that her anxiety heightened during the prolonged isolation, and the virus affected her senses of taste and smell.
In response to the growing mental health concerns among students, the Deming Public Schools undertook an unprecedented initiative. Using federal pandemic relief funding, the district partnered with an external company to expand the number of licensed counselors available to students by 33%. This move aimed to address the increasing mental health needs arising from the pandemic, with an emphasis on providing bilingual counseling support in this high-poverty district near the U.S.-Mexico border.
While this endeavor brings Deming Public Schools closer to achieving a nationally recommended counselor-to-student ratio, the district faces the challenge of securing alternative funding once the pandemic relief funds are exhausted after the spring semester.
Nationwide and in New Mexico, youth mental health struggles have been prevalent. Data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that 42% of high schoolers felt a sense of hopelessness in 2021. A 10-year survey, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, showed that certain groups, such as female students, LGBQ+ students, and those of multi-racial or Hispanic backgrounds, experienced more difficulties with sadness and hopelessness.
New Mexico ranked 34th among states for youth mental health in a 2023 report by Mental Health America, based on data from 2019-20. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated challenges, leading to various mental health issues, including suicidal thoughts and addiction, according to Deming Public Schools Superintendent Vicki Chávez.
Enrollment in DPS stands at approximately 5,200 students, but the exact number of students affected by mental health issues remains unclear. The district contracted with Sol Counseling and Wellness Center, based in Las Cruces, to supplement its licensed counseling staff and address the increased emergency needs due to COVID-19.
Recognizing the shortage of licensed counselors in schools nationwide, Deming Public Schools turned to external resources. The American School Counselor Association recommends a ratio of 250 students per licensed counselor, but the national average stands at 408 students to 1 counselor. In New Mexico, the ratio was even higher at 444 to 1 during the 2021-22 school year.
The contract with Sol Counseling and Wellness Center brings additional support to the district, reducing the counselor-to-student ratio from 433 to 325. While this improvement is notable, it falls short of the recommended ratio, indicating a need for further resources in high-poverty districts like Deming.
Sol Counseling staff is available three days per week in-person and on Zoom for the rest of the week. The district is actively tracking the impact of the initiative, with 14 new referrals, 68 sessions, 11 cancellations, and 39 pending services reported for the month of October 2022.
The district’s four-year contract with Sol Counseling, initiated in December 2022, involves a flat rate of $600 per day, covering in-person or Zoom sessions, with a cap of $60,000 per school year. Beyond this initiative, school counselors can refer students to other external agencies for specialized or intensive treatment, but additional costs may be incurred by the student’s parents or insurance provider.
Despite some limitations, the collaboration with Sol Counseling represents a significant step towards bridging the mental health care gap for students in Deming Public Schools. Ongoing evaluations and discussions with the clinical director aim to identify successes and address challenges within the contract. The district remains committed to providing timely, accessible mental health support to its student population, recognizing the diverse needs arising from the pandemic and beyond.