Kentucky Students to Host Public Hearing on Mental Health Amid Ongoing Legal Proceedings Over Education Adequacy

As part of their ongoing fight to secure a quality public education for every student in Kentucky, the Kentucky Student Voice Team (KSVT) will convene a youth-led public hearing on mental health on Saturday, September 27 at 2:30 p.m. at the University of Louisville Red Barn.

This hearing is part of the continuing legal proceedings that began with a historic lawsuit filed by KSVT and 13 student plaintiffs in January, which contends that the Commonwealth has failed its constitutional obligation to provide an adequate and equitable education system as guaranteed by the landmark 1989 Rose v. Council for Better Education decision.

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KSVT’s September 27 hearing will highlight one of the many issues raised in the lawsuit: Kentucky’s youth mental health crisis. As part of the Kentucky Department of Education’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, nearly one third of Kentucky high school students said they missed one or more days of school due to stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health struggles. At the same time, 56% of Kentucky school districts report they are not meeting the state’s legally recommended ratio of 1 school counselor or school-based mental health provider per 250 students.

The event will feature three expert witnesses: 

• Solyana Mesfin– Undergraduate at University of Louisville and Kentucky’s first active public school student to hold a seat on the state board of education
• Whitney Campbell, LMFT– Mental Health Practitioner at Jefferson County Public Schools’ Southern High School
• Lori Vogel, MSW, LSCW– Past President of Kentucky Chapter of National Association of Social Workers (NASW-KY); School Social Worker at Fayette County Public Schools
  

Through testimony and discussion that will be moderated by high school students, the hearing will surface concrete, local solutions to improving student mental health and wellness.

WHAT: Youth-Led Public Hearing on Mental Health
WHEN: Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: Red Barn at University of Louisville, 2011 South Brook Street Walk, Louisville, KY 40208 (Google Maps)
RSVP: The event is free and open to the public. Media and policymakers are especially encouraged to attend. Reserve a free ticket online here.

RSVP to Attend

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About the Kentucky Student Voice Team

‍The Kentucky Student Voice Team (KSVT) is an independent, statewide, 501(c)(3) organization co-founded in 2012 by a group of Kentucky high school students. As a collective of young people, KSVT is on a mission to co-create more just, democratic Kentucky schools and communities as research, policy-advocacy & storytelling partners.