• The Trump administration canceled mental health grants worth millions to schools nationwide due to DEI concerns in grant applications.
• Wake County Public School System and UNC-Chapel Hill are among the affected, impacting their mental health service expansion and training programs.
• The decision raises concerns about the future of school-based mental health initiatives amidst rising rates of depression and anxiety among young people.

The Trump administration has canceled millions of dollars in mental health grants intended for schools, including the Wake County Public School System and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The U.S. Department of Education stated that the grants were discontinued because some applicants included diversity goals in hiring practices and diversity training in their applications. This decision impacts the expansion of mental health services in schools at a time when student mental health is a growing concern, and the action has generated debate over the role of DEI initiatives in federally funded programs.

• What: The Trump administration canceled mental health grants for K-12 schools and universities due to diversity goals in hiring and diversity training in applications.
• Who: U.S. Department of Education, Wake County Public School System, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Murray Bessette, Madi Biedermann.
• When: Announcement made around May 1, 2025; grants canceled for future years of their cycle; initial funding from Bipartisan Safer Communities Act since 2022.
• Where: Nationwide, specifically impacting schools in Wake County, rural North Carolina, and other locations across the country.

The Trump administration's decision to cancel mental health grants over DEI concerns represents a significant shift in federal education policy. This move directly impacts schools' ability to provide adequate mental health services, particularly at a time when youth mental health is a growing concern. The cancellation raises questions about the administration's priorities and the extent to which DEI initiatives will be targeted in other federal programs. The cancellation also suggests that the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act may be vulnerable to policy shifts despite bipartisan support.

We owe it to American families to ensure that tax-payer dollars are supporting evidence-based practices that are truly focused on improving students' mental health.

The Wake County Public School System remains committed to supporting the well-being and success of every student.

The Trump administration's cancellation of approximately $1 billion in mental health grants, authorized by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, marks a contentious shift, driven by DEI concerns and alleged civil rights violations within the grant programs. This decision impacts 260 recipients across 49 states, potentially disrupting mental health support for students and hindering the training of over 14,000 mental health professionals in schools. While the administration aims to re-evaluate and re-compete the funds, critics worry about the immediate setback to school safety and student well-being, particularly in communities still recovering from school shootings, and the long-term consequences for school-based mental health initiatives, especially given existing shortages of counselors and psychologists in many districts. This move has sparked significant debate, raising questions about the role of DEI in mental health services and the balance between federal oversight and local needs in addressing the youth mental health crisis.