What Every Illinois School District Needs To Know About Universal Mental Health Screening

SB1560 is coming. Here's what you need to know.

boy in green sweater writing on white paper

Illinois is the first state to require annual mental health screenings for students in grades 3-12. Under SB1560, every district must be in compliance by the 2027-28 school year. But what does this really mean for your schools, and how should you start preparing now?

At Maro, we’ve spent years working with student support teams in 21 districts and 60+ schools across Illinois to implement universal mental health screening. The schools that have the most success start earlier than they think they need to and use this as an opportunity to create capacity for their staff and drive student success. 

What SB1560 Requires

Here’s what we know so far based on the law and available ISBE guidance: 

  • Screening must be made available to every student in grades 3–12.

  • Districts must use a qualifying mental health screening tool; SEL screeners will not count.

  • Staff who administer and review screening results must receive appropriate training.

  • Families must be informed about the screening program and how results will be used.

  • Districts must have a plan in place for responding to students who screen positive.

How Can Illinois Schools Get Free Mental Health Screening?

Maro provides free mental health screening implementation for eligible Illinois public schools. This includes screeners, digital parent consent, counselor dashboards, follow-up workflows, staff training, and reporting tools.

Check eligibility at meetmaro.com/illinois

Common Questions About Illinois Mental Health Screening

When does SB1560 go into effect?
Illinois public school districts must be in compliance by the 2027-28 school year.

Can parents opt their child out?
Yes. Parents can opt their child out.

This article was written by Maro to help Illinois district leaders navigate SB1560 implementation. It reflects our interpretation of the mandate and the ISBE guidance available at time of publication. Because implementation guidance continues to evolve, we recommend verifying current requirements directly with your regional ISBE office. This article is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Illinois State Board of Education.