K–12 EDUCATION - DOD NEEDS TO ASSESS ITS CAPACITY TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO STUDENTS

Oct 15, 2026

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GAO reports that the Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) serves over 65,000 military-connected pre-K-12 students across 160 schools worldwide and has seen increasing mental health concerns. GAO found DODEA schools assessed one in 50 students for suicide risk in school years 2022–23 and 2023–24. However, DOD has not assessed workforce capacity for MTSS fidelity, and it has not evaluated mental health programs or assured collaboration and appropriate service mix to meet student needs. GAO makes seven recommendations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages40

Reading Time1 h 41 min

AccessFree to download

Highlights

Why GAO Did This Study

What GAO Recommends

What GAO Found

Student Mental Health Concerns Shared by Leaders in Select DOD Schools

DOD Has Not Assured the Three Mental Health Programs Meet Student Needs

Agency Comments and Our Evaluation

Appendix I

Comments from the Department of Defense

Appendix II

GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgements

United States Government Accountability Office Report to Congressional Committees MAY 2025 K–12 EDUCATION: DOD NEEDS TO ASSESS ITS CAPACITY TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO STUDENTS Highlights Highlights of GAO-25-107247 , a report to congressional committees Why GAO Did This Study DOD research has found that military families and children face severe barriers to accessing mental healthcare, harming family well-being and military readiness. Without proper treatment, children with mental health concerns are at risk of school failure, substance misuse, and suicide. Senate Report 118-58 includes a provision for GAO to examine mental health services in DODEA schools. This review examines (1) mental health concerns of DODEA students,(2) DODEA’s capacity to implement its new MTSS framework, and (3) the extent to which DOD has assessed how well mental health programs in DODEA schools meet student needs and their collaboration in doing so. GAO analyzed suicide-related incident data collected by DODEA for school years 2022–23 and 2023–24, the mostrecent data available. GAO also conducted site visits to 27 schools and eight military treatment facilities on 11 military installations across DODEA’s three regions. GAO interviewed DODand DODEA officials, reviewed relevant federal laws, policies, and procedures, and assessed DOD actions against policy and relevant federal standards. What GAO Recommends GAO is making seven recommendations to DOD, including to assess capacity to implement MTSS, to evaluate its programs that provide mental health services in DODEA schools, and assure that these programs collaborate to align their services with student needs. DOD agreed or partially agreed with six recommendations, and disagreed with one, which GAO maintains is valid. View GAO-25-107247 . For more information, contact Jacqueline M. Nowicki at [nowickij@gao.gov](nowickij@gao.gov). May 2025 K–12 EDUCATION: DOD Needs to Assess Its Capacity to Provide Mental Health Services to Students What GAO Found The Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) educated more than 65,000 military-connected pre-K-12 students in 160 schools worldwide in school year 2023–24. GAO found that, like U.S. public school students , DODEA students have experienced increasing mental health concerns in recent years. Per GAO analysis, DODEA schools assessed one in 50 students for suicide risk in each of school years 2022–23 and 2023–24 in response to an identified mental health concern. In all 27 DODEA schools GAO visited worldwide, school leaders described more frequent and acute concerns (see figure) . Student Mental Health Concerns Shared by Leaders in Select DOD Schools School psychologists and school counselors told GAO they rarely had time to work with students to prevent crises due to competing responsibilities and heavy administrative workloads, such as testing coordination duties. Such staff are key to successfully implementing DODEA’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework—an evidence-based approach to help schools identify and proactively address student needs and build resilience. However, DODEA has not assessed its workforce capacity to implement MTSS with fidelity. Federal workforce planning principles include identifying and addressing human capital needs. Without a workforce plan, DODEA may be unaware of resource gaps that could hinder its success—particularly in light of DOD’s recent directives to optimize its civilian workforce. DOD has not assured that the three mental health programs it operates in DODEA schools meet student needs. First, none of the programs have been evaluated, contrary to DOD policy. The largest—Military and Family Life Counseling (MFLC)—places nonclinical counselors in nearly every DODEA school. However, school leaders raised concerns about the program, including poor collaboration with school staff and high turnover among counselors. Second, DOD has not assured that these pr

FAQs

What problem does GAO identify regarding mental health services for DODEA students?

GAO finds DOD research indicates military families and children face severe barriers to accessing mental healthcare. In DODEA schools, student mental health concerns have increased, and GAO reports gaps in workforce capacity assessment, program evaluation, and collaboration.

How did GAO assess suicide risk and current mental health concerns?

GAO analyzed suicide-related incident data collected by DODEA for school years 2022–23 and 2023–24. GAO also conducted site visits to 27 schools and eight military treatment facilities and interviewed DOD and DODEA officials.

What recommendations did GAO make to DOD?

GAO made seven recommendations, including assessing capacity to implement MTSS, evaluating programs that provide mental health services in DODEA schools, and ensuring collaboration to align services with student needs. DOD agreed or partially agreed with six recommendations and disagreed with one, which GAO maintains is valid.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Melati