Illinois First to Require Annual Mental Health Screenings for Students
Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, students in Illinois public schools from 3rd to 12th grade will receive annual mental health screenings, making Illinois the first state in the U.S. to implement such a law.
Signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker at Chute Middle School in Evanston, the measure is designed to identify and address youth mental health concerns early.
“At a time when our children are struggling with anxiety and depression more than ever before, it’s our responsibility to ensure that our young people have all the help that they need to get the help that they deserve,” Pritzker said.
The screenings will be age-appropriate, confidential, and optional; parents can opt out. The law also requires schools to connect families to the BEACON Portal, a tool for finding local psychiatric care.
Mental health advocates have praised the law for reducing stigma and making care more accessible. Young activist and UN youth delegate Abhinav Anne, who has faced his struggles, called for systems that “listen before we scream, that act before we fall.”
This new law reflects child’s right to the highest standard of mental and physical health, and the obligation to prioritize their best interests in all decisions.
