Hey! My name’s Bella, and I’m part of a student group called Stronger Schools, Stronger Support, working to make sure every Title I school in Washoe County has enough mental health support. 

Do you know what a Title I school is? It’s a school with a high number of students from low-income families, the kids who often face the biggest challenges outside of school and need the most help inside school. These students are more likely to deal with things like housing insecurity, family stress, or food shortages, so having access to social workers and counselors can really make a difference. 

Right now, though, some Washoe County schools have one counselor or social worker for almost 600 students. The national recommendation is one for every 250, and that gap means a lot of students don’t get the support they need. 

Our main demand is simple: 
Make sure WCSD meets the national 1:250 ratio. 

We know past efforts have tried to hire more counselors, but it hasn’t been enough. We’re calling for long-term, consistent solutions, not just temporary fixes. 
Thanks so much for listening and for supporting mental health for students who need it most!