Specified Proposed Funding Strategy Funding For Mental Health Education In Schools

When introducing mental health education classes in schools to Congress, it is essential to create an advocacy timeline to build interest. Advocacy timelines can include a variety of steps and stages that take place in a certain amount of time, depending on the political and societal climate. A brief layout of the advocacy timeline being used for this policy includes (1) research and preparation, (2) engaging stakeholders and forming partnerships with a shared interest, (3) developing campaign and advocacy materials or content, (4) engaging the public, and (5) sustaining the policy. Stages one through four can be carried out in an estimated eight to twelve months, while stage five will continue to be ongoing. Before introducing this policy

to test the initiative and see what improvements or adjustments need to be made. After evaluating and adjusting the initiative, we will push for full implementation in most, if not all, public schools. Continued evaluations, updates, and policy reviews will be put in place to ensure sustainability. Specified proposed funding strategy Funding for mental health education in schools can come from a variety of sources using a funding strategy. The funding strategy being used for this policy is a match grant program. With this program, it can increase the total amount of funding for mental health education classes in schools by allocating funds from various sources and then having the federal government match the total amount. These funding sources include school districts, private foundations or organizations, community fundraising, and corporations. Once these funding sources are collected, then the federal government can double the amount and invest in a policy that will provide positive outcomes. Relevance to social justice and linkage to appropriate theory As part of advancing social justice, schools that offer mental health education classes address inequality in several ways and foster a more equitable

Lastly, providing mental health education for every student can mitigate disparities in access to mental health services. In sum, mental health education classes encourage inclusion, equality, and empowerment, thereby promoting social justice and providing every student with the ability to thrive. Social justice theories can be integrated into this policy to address inequalities and promote equity and inclusion in mental health. A social justice theory that supports mental health education in schools is Critical Theory. “Critical theory aims to change and critique society as a whole by finding the underlying assumptions in social life that prevent people from participating in a true democracy” (Nickerson, 2023). A key aspect of mental health education is understanding how society's norms and power dynamics influence mental health stigma and disparities. Critical Theory challenges society's norms and misconceptions about mental health and supports the need for mental health education to advocate for inclusion, awareness, and