ALBANY, NY (Erie News Now)--GOV. KATHY HOCHUL IS TRYING TO EXPAND RESOURCES FOR KIDS STRUGGLING WITH THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.  

 THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED TUESDAY THE START TO ROLLING APPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS.  

THERE ARE CURRENTLY 137 NEW SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS ADDING TO THE STATES TOTAL OF MORE THAN 1,200.  

THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES $20 MILLION, from the fiscal year 2024 budget passed last spring, IN START-UP FUNDING FOR THESE CLINICS—IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR SCHOOLS TO ACCESS FUNDING. 

GOV. HOCHUL SAid SHE IS COMMITTED TO GIVING KIDS THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO COMBAT MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES.  

“Whatever they’re dealing with now, if we can solve it now and help them have the coping skills now, they’ll lead a better life, later a healthier life. So, that’s why talking about our schools is so important to me,” she said. 

THE GOVERNOR ALSO ANNOUNCEd THE STATE WILL BE FORMING A YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD.

SHE SAid SHE CAN LEARN A LOT ABOUT HOW TO HELP YOUNG NEW YORKERS BY HEARING FROM THEM DIRECTLY WHAT THEY ARE STRUGGLING WITH.