A suicidal student in D.C. intimated to a school counselor they wanted to shoot up the school. A 13-year-old self-harming student told a counselor she intended to cut herself enough to end her life and that she was scared to go home. A third student at a school that does not have a social worker told staff they wanted to end their own life and repeatedly bit themselves until staff restrained them.

In each of these situations, school administrators, counselors, or social workers called the Child and Adolescent Mobile Psychiatric Service (known as ChAMPS) that for about 15 years has provided specialized expertise to help District public, private, and charter school students in the midst of mental health crises—a crucial safety net for kids and families. They also respond to calls from famil

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