MONROE — Facing what they say is a mental health ‘crisis’ nationwide among students, the Monroe School Board on Monday agreed to increase the ranks of school psychologists who are on the front line of the issue here in Monroe.

And while the Covid 19 pandemic has contributed— with the related school shutdowns and disruptions — the issue existed here well before the virus showed up in early 2020, officials told the Monroe School Board at its Dec. 13 regular meeting.

“One thing that’s clear is that our nation, our state ... and certainly Monroe has been working through a mental health crisis,” said Joe Monroe, director of pupil services. 

Suicide rates are up nationally, he said, as well as student demand for mental health professionals in schools and communities.

Last night’s action to have five full time mental health professionals on staff reversed an earlier decision last spring in which the psychiatric staff was temporarily reduced due to attrition. Board members said that while they want to be frugal with taxpayer money, student mental health support needs to be maintained and increased. 

That’s especially true with recent headlines of another school shooting earlier this month in Michigan.

“I also don’t feel that now is the time to pull back...but to make that investment,” said Rich Deprez, school board president.

Monroe uses its school psychology staff differently than many other districts where they perform more conventional tasks such testing and career counseling, officials said. In Monroe — particularly at the high school and middle school levels — counselors develop long term relationships to help prevent and address problems of isolation and depression.

“To be clear, this isn’t (just) a covid issue,” said Monroe. It’s an issue that’s been long standing for our kids.

At 4.8 full time equivalent mental health staff, Monroe was ranked about 30th out of Wisconsin’s 425 districts for psychologist cost per student, placing the district in the top 10% statewide. 

District Administrator Rick Waski first brought an informational item to the board at the April 12 meeting recommending the school psychologist reduction coincide with the departure of Parkside psychologist Carol Ninmer, who announced her retirement in March.