As counselor shortages continue across North Carolina schools, some teachers say students are increasingly struggling to access consistent emotional and academic support.

The ability for middle- and high school-aged youth to access mental health support is important for healthy development, with a lack of support resulting in a possibility of higher rates of anxiety, depression, poor sleep and lower life satisfaction.

A major cause of this problem is North Carolina schools are both understaffed and underfunded. According to The Education Law Center, the state received an “F” for funding level, spending about $5,600 less per student than the national average. This lack of funding can have far reaching effects on schools.

The North Carolina Association of Educators says North Carolina has prioritized the interests of corporations and billionaires over working-class residents.

“North Carolina’s failing grades reflect years of deliberate neglect," NCAE President Tamika Walker Kelly said. "Lawmakers have refused to fully fund our public schools, denied educators meaningful raises, and the Supreme Court has allowed Leandro to languish. Our children cannot afford this continued failure of leadership.”

An educator at Centennial Campus Middle School said the lack of adequate personnel is resulting in teachers and other staff having to fill those gaps.

“Teachers often become the first line of emotional and academic assistance even though we already carry full instructional responsibilities. Limited staffing means schools often have to prioritize crisis situations, leaving less time for preventative support and relationship-building.”

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services released a report that 32% of Durham County students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2024, the latest year for statistics.

Psychologist Dr. Wade Green said a student's mental state can directly affect academic performance.

“With depression, someone cannot even show up to class for anxiety. It goes back to being overwhelmed and thinking too much, which impacts test scores and lowers your grade,” he said. These challenges can make it more difficult for students to attend class regularly, stay engaged and perform well academically.

The Education Opportunity Project reported in 2024 that learning rates vary by race, with Black and Hispanic students showing lower learning rates than white and Asian students. Green said Black students are more likely to be viewed as a problem and assumed to have behavioral issues rather than mental health concerns. 

Comments