Hi there, John. It’s September which means it’s back to school season. This autumn, there’s something that weighs heavily on my mind. And that is the mental health of Maine’s kids.

The fact of the matter is that 15% of Maine's kids ages 6 to 11 are struggling with mental health issues, and one in six Maine children has been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. When I learned about these troubling statistics, I knew I needed to take action.

That’s why I’m co-sponsoring legislation that will boost the availability of mental health providers in public schools across Maine and the country. The Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act would establish a five-year program to help elementary and secondary schools hire mental health providers like counselors, psychologists and social workers.

I believe that our children are our future, John. It might be a cliche, but only because it’s true.

As your Senator I’m going to keep doing everything I can to ensure that our kids thrive both in and out of the classroom.

Thanks for following along, John.

Angus