Whatcom County schools' mental health services dwindle as funding disappears

July 3, 2026 - 15:27

A significant source of funding for mental health services in Whatcom County schools has run dry, leaving administrators scrambling to maintain support for students. The grants, which totaled $1.6 million, expired on June 30, effectively cutting off a key financial lifeline for counseling and crisis intervention programs across the district.

School officials say the loss comes at a time when demand for mental health resources remains high. The funding had been used to hire additional counselors, train staff in suicide prevention, and provide direct therapy for students struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma. Without it, several positions are now at risk, and some programs have already been scaled back.

In response, local education leaders have launched a new fundraising campaign aimed at keeping the services alive. The effort seeks to raise money from community donors, local businesses, and grant-making foundations to fill the gap left by the expired federal and state dollars. Organizers acknowledge that private donations alone cannot match the scale of the previous funding, but they hope to prevent a complete shutdown of the most critical services.

The situation reflects a broader challenge facing school districts across the country, where temporary pandemic-era mental health funding is drying up even as student needs continue to grow. For now, Whatcom County schools are asking families to be patient as they work to find a sustainable path forward.