School-Based Mental Health
School-Based Mental Health is a program that provides mental health assistance, possibly including evaluation, treatment planning, and individual or group counseling, within a school setting. Mental health services within the school are short-term intervention-based (usually 6 to 8 brief sessions) delivered by licensed mental health professionals. Community resource information can be provided and coordination of care can occur if long-term services are needed with a primary therapist outside of the school setting.
School-based mental health therapy services are provided during the school day. These services include working with students and school personnel to assist with student concerns, removing social/emotional barriers to student learning, linking students and families with community resources, therapeutic interventions, building coping strategies, and supporting overall student achievement.
The mental health specialists in each school coordinate with the school counselors to track and maintain interventions to support students. They work together to best support and individualize each student's services. Once tier I and II interventions have been accessed and exhausted a referral for mental health services can be made by the school counselor.
Parent/Guardian signed consent is required to access these services.
School-Based Mental Health Services
Safety and Wellbeing Check-ins
Brief Individual Therapy
Mental Health Screeners/Assessments/Evaluation
Crisis Response/Support
Therapeutic Intervention
School Support Collaboration
Coordination of Care
Referral to Appropriate Services
Mental Wellbeing and Psychoeducational Supports
Positive mental health is a crucial element for youth to succeed in school and life. Mentally healthy students are more likely to go to school ready to learn, actively engage in school activities, have supportive and caring connections with adults and young people, use appropriate problem-solving skills, have non-aggressive behaviors, and add to positive school culture. Mental health covers a wide array of areas; social, emotional, behavioral health, and the ability to cope with life’s challenges. All of which can be supported in a school setting for the student's benefit.
Mental health stats for children and youth The start of many mental health conditions most often occurs in adolescence. Half of individuals living with mental illness experience onset by the age of 14. This number jumps to 75% by the age of 24. Nationwide, one in five youth suffers from a diagnosable emotional, mental, or behavioral disorder, but less than half of these individuals receive needed services. Undiagnosed, untreated or inadequately treated mental health conditions can affect a student’s ability to learn, grow and develop.
Mental health in schools Schools provide a unique opportunity to identify and treat mental health conditions by serving students where they already are. School personnel play an important role in identifying the early warning signs of an emerging mental health condition and in linking students with effective services and supports.