TAMPA, Fla. — Hillsborough County Schools is expanding its emotional wellness services this summer after the state increased the amount available to help students struggling with mental health.

Last year, Hillsborough Schools received $8.5 million, and increased to combat a spike in mental health issues from the pandemic.

This year, Hillsborough Schools is receiving $10 million. 

“Providing more access to services, getting the communication out to parents and staff and students that the school is a resource,” said Elizabeth Tanner, Hillsborough Schools Supervisor of Emotional Wellness.

Tanner talked about her department's busy summer expanding services to meet students' needs for the upcoming school year.

The district says it will use additional state funding to partner with more mental health agencies, enhance its mobile response team and increase training for teachers.

“We do like to deescalate situations for students so they won't be needing to go for a Baker Act, or to a receiving facility,” said Tanner. “So those therapeutic clinicians go to schools to evaluate students in crisis to hopefully to either divert to other services, or if needed, send to a receiving facility for therapy."

The district says it provided emotional wellness services to around 1,000 students in Hillsborough County last year.

It expected to see a continued spike in the need of students in the upcoming school year.

For more information on Hillsborough County Schools Emotional Wellness Services, visit https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/mentalhealth