Advocates said the kids aren't all right and want to tackle the youth mental health crisis head on in schools.

A study of Maryland's youth mental health care found 67,000 children in the state suffered from major depression and nearly half did not receive treatment.

In Maryland schools, the ratio of psychologists to students is nearly five times the recommended ratio. Even worse, the ratio of social workers to students is nearly 10 times the recommended ratio.

Angela Kimball, chief advocacy officer for the mental health advocacy organization Inseparable, said increasing school-based mental health services would overcome barriers some students face when trying to access care.

"They're less stigmatizing," Kimball pointed out. "They normalize mental health care. They're available without cost. They don't require transportation or parents taking time off work. School mental-health services offer this opportunity to reduce barriers and get kids the support they need."

Youths who receive school-based mental-health services are six times more likely to complete a full round of treatment, according to a U.S. Department of Education report.

Other studies have shown teaching students mental health literacy and life skills decreases symptoms of depression and anxiety. Kimball emphasized other states are expanding the ranks of their mental health services and including other students to help their peers.

"That means not just school mental health professionals but also expanding that workforce to take advantage of other caring adults and youths and young adults, who can actually provide support to their peers," Kimball explained.

Kimball argued Maryland should expand its school Medicaid program, which allows more money to flow into schools to better fund mental health services.