The 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey showed that 23.6% of high school students reported feeling depressed, and this increased to 26% in the 2019 data. Marathon County is committed to improving mental health and has several initiatives underway. The Marathon County School-Based Counseling Consortium (MCS-BCC) was formed in 2017 to provide on-site mental health services for students within the schools. All 57 public schools in Marathon County now have at least a half day per week with a licensed mental health therapist on-site to provide therapy services to both students and families. Parents do not need to take off work and students miss less class time when their appointment is right across the hall.

The Consortium is comprised of for-profit and non-profit behavioral health clinics, public schools districts, and community organizations. In addition to offering direct counseling services to students, MCS-BCC trains school district staff on mental health issues and strategies – and offers education for parents and youth about mental health issues and resources.

What do the students think about the MCS-BCC? Of the 4^th-12^th grade students utilizing on-site mental health counseling services in the 2018-2019 school year, nearly 75% of students reported making progress on their goals. For students in K-3^rd grade, 9 out of 10 students said they would go back to their counselor again for similar help. The data is showing that on-site counseling is working! You can explore the 2017-2018 Impact Report for more data.

If you would like to explore therapy services at school for a child, please contact your student’s school counselor. He or she can refer yours student to an on-site licensed mental health counselor.