Katie Eklund, a professor of educational psychology in UW–Madison’s School of Education, discussed efforts to address the nation’s shortage of school-based mental health professionals in a recent report on the growing issue by PBS Wisconsin that was broadcast nationally on PBS NewsHour.

Eklund described how unmet mental health concerns can harm students in school and throughout their lives, then explained how a new WCER project funded by a $10 million federal grant will help address the issue.

“It’s designed to increase the pipeline of school psychologists, school social workers and school counselors who are working in K-12 schools around the country,” Eklund said.