The urgency of supporting youth mental health has never been greater. Adolescents are facing unprecedented levels of stress and anxiety recently driven by global conflicts and national political turmoil. In addition, research shows that youth experience nonstop exposure through social media, which amplifies fear and hopelessness. More than two-thirds of young people report significant stress about the nation’s future, with many exhibiting signs of anxiety disorders. 

However, the number of trained mental health professionals is insufficient to meet current demand and is unlikely to meet the growing needs of teens in the near future (Dr. Tony Yang, UCSF, Light for Mind Podcast, June 2025). 

Licensed school counselors provide essential social-emotional and academic support for students during critical periods of their development. However, in Marin County schools, there is only one counselor for every 500 students, which is twice the recommended ratio of 1:250 set by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).

Imagine a student struggling with anxiety, stress, or personal issues—how likely is it that they get the support they need?

In Marin County, the severe shortage of school counselors has become a daily reality for countless students who lack the social, emotional, and academic support they desperately need. This unmet need has grown into a crisis, evident in the surge of youth emergency room visits and hospitalizations related to mental health concerns. Marin’s teens and young adults face a disproportionately high rate of mental health incidents and suicidal thoughts. While youth aged 15 to 24 make up just 10% of the population, they account for 44% of emergency room visits, 36% of hospitalizations, and 10% of deaths.¹

Empirical research strongly supports the value of school counseling, showing that schools with counselor ratios of 1:250 have a significant correlation with higher graduation rates, increased college entrance and persistence rates, lower chronic absenteeism, and fewer suspensions.²

These services are more crucial than ever as our country grapples with a youth mental health crisis, which the U.S. Surgeon General has described as a public health emergency.

Therefore, we urge Marin County schools to tackle this crisis by implementing policies that reduce the student-to-counselor ratio to the ASCA-recommended 1:250. This can be achieved through:

• Allocating additional funds from county budgets, state grants, or federal programs to train, recruit, and retain a pipeline of qualified school counselors.
• Collaborating with local mental health organizations to provide additional on-site support and training.
• Working with state legislators to secure sustainable funding for school counseling programs.
• Integrating investment in robust counseling programs into broader plans aimed at improving opportunities and outcomes for all students.

Implementing such policies would lead to numerous benefits, including:

• Addressing the significant and pervasive shortage of school counselors.
• Increasing access to comprehensive mental and behavioral health services that are essential for student well-being and academic success.
  Reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and providing a safe environment for students to thrive.

Ensuring access to school counselors for every student in Marin must be a top priority for county policymakers and school administrators. Today’s students are tomorrow’s pillars of our community—they will be our family members, workforce, and leaders. It is essential that we support their success in both school and life.

Sign this petition NOW to demand action from Marin County schools. Your signature could make the difference. Marin students deserve better!