Democratic presidential hopeful Rep. Tim Ryan Timothy (Tim) RyanNow's the time to make 'Social Emotional Learning' a national priority Mourners gather outside Supreme Court after passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg Lincoln Project hits Trump for criticizing Goodyear, 'an American company' MORE (Ohio) on Thursday called for mental health counselors to be assigned to all public schools as part of a broader public education plan.

Shortly before his campaign rolled out his education plan, Ryan tweeted that every U.S. public school needs a mental health counselor on their premises.

We need a mental health counselor in every school. — Tim Ryan (@TimRyan) July 1, 2019

The congressman pointed to the growing gap between high and low-income communities when it comes to school resources, such as mental health counselors, healthy lunches and up-to-date technology and learning materials.

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Ryan's campaign said that, if elected president, his administration would aim to invest $50 billion in federal programs to aid public schools.

He first called for mental health counselors in every school during last week's Democratic presidential debates in Miami while addressing combating school shootings.

“Seventy-three percent of [school shooters] feel shamed, traumatized or bullied. We need to make sure that these kids feel connected to the school. That means a mental health counselor in every single school in the United States,” Ryan said.

“We need to start playing offense. If our kids are so traumatized they are getting a gun and going into our schools, we’re doing something wrong, too, and we need reform around trauma-based care," he continued.