Illinois Becomes First State to Require Annual Student Mental Health Screenings

Illinois has made history and sparked conversation by becoming the first state in the country to require annual mental health screenings for students. On August 1, 2025, Governor JB Pritzker signed the legislation, which will be a critical shift in the way the state approaches youth mental health.

Starting with the 2027/2028 school year, every student in grades 3 through 12 in a public school will be screened at least once a year on their mental health, in addition to the vision and hearing tests that are already mandated. The goal: to spot concerns in the early stages, connect students to care, and make sure that a child's mental health needs are addressed.

Pritzker underlined the urgency, saying that there is an increase in anxiety, depression, and other problems among the youth. “At a time when our kids are struggling with anxiety and depression more than ever before, it’s our responsibility to ensure that young people have all the support that they need to get the help that they deserve,” he said..

The law also guides schools to refer families to an online resource that provides information on available mental health resources and services.

Why This is Important:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anxiety and depression are two of the most prevalent mental health disorders diagnosed in children between 3 and 17 years of age. When left untreated, these conditions may impact academic achievements, relationships, and long-term well-being. Screening once a year might be a way to detect the struggles before they get out of control.

Concerns and Questions

While the move is groundbreaking, some questions are raised:

• Validity of screening tools false positive or false negative 

• Who will give the follow-up care? Illinois already faces a shortage of child psychiatrists, therapists, and school counselors. Without enough trained professionals, families could face long waits for help. Even more problem of finding providers in rural and underserved areas 

• How will access be ensured for every student? Students in rural or underserved areas may have few local providers, and families may struggle with transportation, cost, or insurance coverage.

• What about privacy and consent? Parents and students will want reassurance about how results are stored, shared, and used.

• Will schools have the resources? Even with free tools, implementing screenings statewide will require staff training, time, and ongoing support.

• Does school staff have the time to walk parents through next steps when a screening raises concerns?

The Bigger Picture

This legislation is a powerful statement: mental health is just as important as physical health. However, to be effective, Illinois will need to:

1. Expand the mental health workforce so more providers are available to see children quickly.

2. Improve access to care through telehealth, school-based clinics, and community partnerships.

3. Educate families on the meaning of screening results and the next steps for care.

4. Ensure funding and support are not only maintained during the initial rollout

When done in a well-considered manner, the initiative of Illinois might serve as an example to the country. However, unless it is planned carefully, the system may soon be overwhelmed, leaving unmet identified needs.

Early detection is important, and it will require a team to ensure that our youth receive the help they require. 

We can continue this discussion during our Northfield Open House as we discuss the ways in which schools, families, and mental health providers can collaborate to help students.