RIDE Youth Mental Health Roundtable Highlights State and Local Efforts to Address National Crisis
Published on Monday, May 05, 2025
State leaders, special guest Patrick Kennedy, Hazel Health representatives join Providence students to mark May as Mental Health Awareness Month and highlight efforts to better support students’ needs
PROVIDENCE, RI — Governor Dan McKee, Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green, and the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) today welcomed former Rhode Island Congressman and national mental health advocate Patrick Kennedy, and representatives from Hazel Health including Vice President of Mental Health Services Paris Carroll, for roundtable discussion focusing on the national youth mental health crisis and highlighted state and local efforts to better serve the needs of students. The roundtable discussion marked the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Month, observed annually each May, and engaged students and mental health professionals. The Providence Career and Technical Academy, which hosted the roundtable event, will be holding a student-led PPSD Mental Health & Wellness Fair for its second year on Wednesday, May 14, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
“My Administration has made supporting youth mental health a priority because students learn and perform best when they feel healthy, supported, and confident,” said Governor Dan McKee. “By focusing on strengthening support systems for students, families, and educators, our state education system has made progress, but we know that real challenges related to mental health persist. This Mental Health Awareness Month, we recommit to continuing to raise awareness of the need for critical support as we push to improve academic outcomes throughout the Ocean State.”
“It is vital that we support the mental health of our youth because there is clear data showing a connection between health and academic achievement,” said Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “In the aftermath of the pandemic, Rhode Island is recovering faster than all other New England states through our strategic and collective approach that has enhanced student support systems, including those focused on mental health, like our partnership with Hazel Health. To sustain our academic momentum, we must continue to seek ways to assist our students and meet their academic and social-emotional needs.”
The latest Education Recovery Scorecard, released in February 2025, examined the pace of academic recovery measures in districts nationwide, factoring in national and state assessment results. This year's Scorecard ranked Rhode Island 14th in math recovery and 13th in reading between 2019 and 2024. Notably, the report also found that Rhode Island is recovering faster than all other states in New England. State leaders doubled down on their commitment to ensuring students have greater access to mental health support and assistance with the goal of continuing to improve academic outcomes.
“Good mental health is essential for a child’s success, and I applaud Rhode Island for taking a proactive approach to tackle a crisis that is holding young people back,” said former Congressman and national mental health advocate Patrick Kennedy. “By partnering with Hazel Health to expand access to virtual services statewide, Rhode Island is leading by example. As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to make clear to students and families that help is available.”
Last November, state leaders, including Governor McKee and Commissioner Infante-Green, gathered at the Rhode Island State House to launch a partnership with Hazel Health aimed at expanding access to comprehensive, virtual mental health services to students across the state. Hazel Health, the nation’s largest school-based telehealth provider, provides access to school-centered virtual health care services in school or at home to more than 4.7 million students across the nation. District leaders have been working with RIDE and Hazel Health to formalize partnerships with the goal of making Rhode Island the first state on the East Coast to launch a statewide telehealth initiative of this kind. This service is not meant to replace current school and district-level efforts but rather complement and enhance services and support for students. To date, 31 local education agencies (LEAs) have signed on to the program, providing access to services for nearly more than 77,600 Rhode Island students at no cost to districts.
“Through our powerful statewide partnership and cross-sector collaboration within Rhode Island, we are able to provide students throughout the state with the services they need to thrive well beyond their school years,” said Hazel Health President Andrew Post. “As we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, we are reminded that our collective efforts are more important than ever. By working together with a common purpose, we're not only addressing immediate mental health needs but building resilient systems that will support generations of Rhode Island students for years to come.”
According to the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly one in three Rhode Island middle and high school students reported feeling sad or hopeless over a two-week period which they stopped doing their usual activities. Nearly one in six Rhode Island middle and high school students reported seriously considering attempting suicide over the past 12 months. Similar concerns surfaced in the 2024 administration of SurveyWorks, RIDE’s annual survey, which gathered responses from more than 130,000 students, educators, and families. Nationally, according to the CDC, in recent years, suicide rates among young people have increased significantly, and there are more adolescents reporting poor mental health. 40% of high school students in 2023 reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
“In Providence, we’re demonstrating that students can be part of the solution for mental health challenges, and we’re pleased that local and national officials are recognizing our efforts,” said PPSD student Henry Pardo. “As students, we know what our classmates are experiencing and the type of help that can make a difference. We look forward to welcoming our peers and teachers to our upcoming mental health fair and invite community members to join us.”
“Providence students are proud that our work to improve mental health is being showcased alongside state leaders and national advocates like Patrick Kennedy,” said PPSD student Rexella Bishop. “Our upcoming fair - led by students for students - reflects the growing need for support for youth. We know that our collective work can and will improve lives.”
“In order for students to succeed in the classroom and beyond, they need to be healthy and confident,” said PPSD student Simone Punchak. “By working to expand access to critical student services for students through our event, we can create more supportive and inclusive learning environments that will help students thrive. We are thrilled that leaders from across the state and nation have chosen to spotlight our school community.”
State leaders, students, and advocates collectively underscored the need for greater support in light of recent news that the U.S. Department of Education canceled nearly $1 billion in support of school-based mental health services across the country. In Rhode Island, this impacted approximately $4 million in funding for services.
For additional information about Hazel Health, please visit hazel.co.