School Based Mental Health

Behavioral and Emotional Screening System (BASC-3) can be used for grades P-8. From preschool to 2nd grade, the results are based on teacher and parent reports of the student and from 3rd grade to 12th grade, the student self-reports, in addition to the teacher and parent, providing multiple perspectives on a student’s functioning. Like the previous assessments, the BASC-3 can be used to inform, monitor, and evaluate SEL interventions. It is also available in Spanish for both parents and students and in a brief assessment format.(Pearson)  

Behavior Intervention Monitoring System 2 (BIMAS-2): The BIMAS-2 is an assessment that is suitable for students K-12, and can be used to screen for students who need additional support, monitor changes in student behavior and mental health characteristics, and evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention. (EDU Metrisis)

Close Gap - The first child-facing emotional wellness platform that captures how kids feel and helps parents and educators respond. Kids do a daily emotional check-in. Educators and Parents get the info they need delivered in real-time. Kids connect with an adult or choose from a library of self-guided activities. (Close Gap)

Colorado Framework for School Behavioral Health Services Universal Screening Toolkit - resource for school districts in the preparation and implementation of any level of student screening. (Colorado Education Initiative)

CRAFFT: This screening tool is an evidence-based tool designed to identify substance use, substance-related risk behaviors, and substance use disorder in youth ages 12-21. It can be used to inform early intervention and counseling for youth. 

Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA): The DESSA is a strength- and resilience-based social emotional screener which can be used for grades K-8. Many schools use the results to help guide their Tier 1 and Tier 2 interventions (more on this under Best Practice 8) and evaluate the effectiveness of their chosen interventions. (RAND)

For Educators: Relationship Mapping Strategy  - There may be nothing more important in a child’s life than a positive and stable relationship with a caring adult. For students, a positive connection to at least one school adult — whether a teacher, counselor, sports coach, or other school staff member — can have tremendous benefits. (Harvard Graduate School: Making Caring Common Project)

Project AWARE - Universal Screening for Mental Health Webinar - Explains the structure and overview of the universal screener training for districts (Georgia Department of Education)

Ready, Set, Go, Review: Screening for Behavioral Health Risk in Schools - The toolkit is designed to guide schools through the process of developing comprehensive screening procedures, as well as provide readily available resources to facilitate the implementation of effective behavioral health screening in schools. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - SAMHSA)

Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Screening Tools  - Many students have unmet social, emotional, behavioral, and academic needs due to failing to access quality supports. These screening tools will help you fill those gaps and support your students. The Screening Tools document is a short list of screeners that you can start to explore once you've engaged in the strategic process of adopting a universal screener for your system. (Character Strong)

Financing School-Based Mental Health Services during a State Budget Crisis - A prerecorded webinar discussing challenges in the context of school and school district leaders’ efforts to finance school mental health programs. Leaders must look for opportunities to sustain these programs using new funding (e.g., federal) sources and, when possible, anticipate which previously counted-on funding sources may see the largest cuts. (Mental Health Technology Transfer Center)

Funding School-Based Mental Health Services - For Local Education Agencies (LEAs) looking to access Medicaid funding, the following requirements are common barriers to reimbursement that should be considered and proactively addressed to ensure success. (SAMHSA)

Funding Student Mental Health Programs in Schools Guide - You don’t have to sacrifice other programs to provide support for student mental health. In this guide, we’ll show you how you can take advantage of some funding sources you’re already familiar with. And we’ll share some funding sources you may not know about. (Thrive Alliance Group)

How to Spend $1 Billion in School Safety Funds: Here’s What the Feds Recommend - This article outlines some things to consider when thinking about how to spend federal funding. (Education Week)

Classroom Wise - A free 3-part training package that assists K-12 educators in supporting the mental health of students in the classroom. It offers evidence-based strategies and skills to engage and support students with mental health concerns in the classroom. In addition to a free online course on mental health literacy for educators and school personnel, a video library and resource collection are also available.  (Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network/National Center for School Mental Health)

Classroom WISE Discussion Guide - Contains the following information: Using the NIATx model for process improvement to implement Classroom WISE strategies in schools; Best practices for collecting data and measuring change; Establishing and facilitating Classroom WISE discussion groups; Considerations for implementing and applying Classroom WISE strategies; Book study activities for continued education, including reading recommendations; and Group discussion guides for each of the six Classroom WISE modules.(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

Georgia APEX Program  - Strives to build capacity and increase access to mental health services for school-aged youth, Pre-Kindergarten to 12th grade, throughout the state. (Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD).

Mental Health Awareness Training Project (MHAT) - A RESA/GaDOE Collaboration provides mental health awareness training to school staff through high-quality, evidence-informed and evidence-based training to schools and districts throughout the state, regardless of location or size, through a network of training partners. This menu of trainings is designed to support the mental health awareness of staff at all levels of prevention and intervention, from awareness to gatekeeper. (GADOE/Pioneer RESA)

Mental and Emotional Health  - This training module contains the tools to analyze and score curricula that are intended to promote mental and emotional health. (Center for Disease Control)This module contains the tools to analyze and score curricula that are intended to promote mental and emotional health. (Center for Disease Control)

MHTTC National School Mental Health Curriculum - Co-developed by the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network Coordinating Office and the National Center for School Mental Health (NCSMH) to help states, districts, and schools across the United States understand the core components of comprehensive school mental health and engage in a planning process around implementation of services, these implementation guidance modules focus on the following core features of effective school mental health initiatives: Roles for Educators and Student Instructional Support Personnel; Collaboration and Teaming; Multi-Tiered System of Supports; Evidence-Informed Services and Supports; Cultural Responsiveness and Equity; and Data-Driven Decision Making.

Psychological First Aid (PFA) Online - A 5-hour interactive online course that helps participants learn the core actions of PFA and describes ways to apply them in different post-disaster scenarios and with different survivor needs. This course also covers provider well-being before, during, and after disasters. This course is relevant for new providers who are wanting to be oriented to PFA, as well as for seasoned practitioners who want a review of the PFA concepts.(National Child Traumatic Stress Network)

School Mental Health Quality Guide -  Teaming  - School Mental Health Quality Guide: Teaming is part of a collection of resources developed by the National Center for School Mental Health (NCSMH) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine for The SHAPE System. The Quality Guides provide guidance to help school mental health systems advance the quality of their services and supports. This guide contains background information on teaming, best practices, possible action steps, examples from the field, and resources.

School Mental Health Training Modules- Free online courses for school mental health training videos, downloadable materials, tips from providers who have already implemented the interventions, and expert advice on a variety of topics related to implementation and fidelity. Ask questions of the intervention developers, share your own tips and experiences, and discuss areas of interest with fellow intervention providers. (University of Maryland School of Medicine)

Supporting Educator Mental Health Literacy Tutorial Series - Mental Health in Action course is designed to provide educators with basic knowledge and information related to mental health, strategies to enhance student mental health, and everyday practices for use in the classroom. (School Mental Health Ontario)

Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development -This resource provides a registry of evidence-based positive youth development programs designed to promote the health and wellbeing of children and teens, along with costs where available. Programs are family, school, and community-based and target all levels of need—from broad prevention programs that promote positive behaviors while decreasing negative behaviors, to highly-targeted programs for at-risk children and troubled teens that get them back on track. (Institute of Behavioral Science at the University of Colorado Boulder)

CBT and Mindfulness Groups - Free CBT and mindfulness materials for addressing depression and anxiety in students, including manuals and resources to run skills groups in the school setting. (Trails to Wellness)

DBT In Schools - An SEL curriculum to bring mental wellness strategies to schools that will educate the whole child, not just the academic child, and allow youth to obtain their education potential today and become leaders for tomorrow. (DBT in Schools)

Evidence-based Registries and Clearinghouses - As part of the System of Care State Plan, the Interagency Directors Team (IDT) compiled a list of resources for behavioral health providers and consumers. Use the links to access registries and clearinghouses that provide child and adolescent mental and behavioral health interventions, programs, fact sheets, and other information. (Georgia State University, Center of Excellence for Children's Behavioral Health)

Hope Squad- A school-based peer support team that partners with local mental health agencies. Peers select students who are trustworthy and caring individuals to join the Hope Squad. Squad members are trained to watch for at-risk students, provide friendship, identify suicide warning signs, and seek help from adults. Hope Squad members are NOT taught to act as counselors, but are educated on recognizing suicide warning signs and how to properly and respectfully report concerns to an adult. (Hope Squad)

Kids on the Block Puppet - Mental Health Program - Kids on the Block (KOTB) is an educational puppetry program that uses life-sized, multicultural puppets to promote mental wellness for children. The presentations are designed to help children understand their feelings and encourage communication of problems or stressors that affect them at home, school, and in other venues. KOTB serves as a non-threatening vehicle through which children can articulate issues that they might otherwise feel uncomfortable talking about. (Mental Health America of Georgia)

National Registry of Evidencebased Programs and Practices(NREPP) - Provides information and tools to incorporate evidence-based practices into their communities or clinical settings.(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - SAMHSA)

Free Your Feels Campaign -  A mental health awareness campaign encouraging Georgia's young people to explore their real feelings and share them fearlessly. (GA Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)/Voices for Georgia's Children)

Free Your Feels Blueprint to Implementation - Read through the following waypoints (tiers of implementation) and pick one that works best for your time and resources. Check out the Free Your Feels website for mental health resources specific to audience groups. You’ll also find toolkits with ready-made graphics and messaging to easily digitally market the campaign. (GA Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)/Voices for Georgia's Children)

Jed Foundation Mental Health Resource Center  - The Jed Foundation’s Mental Health Resource Center provides essential information about common emotional health issues and shows teens and young adults how they can support one another, overcome challenges, and make a successful transition to adulthood. 

Mental Wellness Basics - A free digital resource that introduces middle and high school students to mental health education. (Everfi)

Roadmap to Friends Supporting Friends - Asking for support can be a real challenge. And offering support can be just as difficult. Both can feel uncomfortable, daunting, or just plain awkward. This resource outlines ideas to make this process of checking in on your friends easier. Whether you or a friend is dealing with something  difficult, support is one of the most important ways to cope.(Mental Health Coalition)

Advancing Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems: Guidance From the Field - This resource is a foundational document in the field to help guide local, state, and national efforts to strengthen school mental health efforts and to start to understand and bring consensus to the quality domains of school mental health. (National Center for School Mental Health)

At Risk For Educators - A suite of products to teach PK-12 educators about mental health and suicide prevention which supports improved student wellness and school safety. (Kognito)

Back to School Mental Health Outreach Toolkit - Early-in-life experiences, including adverse experiences and trauma, shape a person’s future. Knowing and addressing the early signs of mental health conditions – and understanding the roots of resilience and positive coping – can increase the chances for well-being, recovery, and positive outcomes. In this toolkit, we hope you find ways to interrupt negative feelings and behaviors and promote positive life skills for mental health. These resources are for both the adult – parent, caregiver, teacher, coach, school administrator – and the child. While some of these topics span generations of common experiences, such as a hard home life, losing someone, or fitting in with peers, others, such as dealing with the pressures and temptations of social media, are new to our younger cohorts. In this toolkit, we delve into a variety of feelings and behaviors and offer suggestions to help young people thrive. (Mental Health America)

Care Management Services - Assist participants in identifying and gaining access to needed waiver and other State Plan Services, as well as medical, social, educational and other services, regardless of the funding source for the services to which access is gained. (GA Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)

Circle of Concern Strategy  - The Circle of Concern strategy is designed to help children — and adults — become more aware of those for whom they don’t have empathy. It is also designed to widen their circle of concern. (Harvard Graduate School of Education: Making Caring Common Project)

Classroom Mental Health - A Teacher's Toolkit in High School:  Guide to Mental Health in the Classroom - This Toolkit will   will help you incorporate mental health information and strategies into your teaching plan. (University of Michigan Depression Center)

Creating a SAFE Place : Lesson Plan - A Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) Guided Lesson Plan designed to prevent bullying in schools through the advancement of SEL skills. In this presentation, students will learn about creating a supportive, accepting, friendly, and empathetic space to promote positive school culture. Throughout the presentation, each focus area is connected to Core SEL Competencies that promote mental health and safety of everyone in the school. Facilitator Notes (School Mental Health Resource Training Center)

Cultural Considerations in Group Interventions - Ethnocultural difference influence a wide variety of domains critical to the psychotherapeutic process. (University of Northern Colorado) 

All Emotions Matter: Elementary Lesson Plans  - we are not born knowing how to express our emotions. It is a skill that needs to be taught, and a skill that needs to be practiced.  These slides were developed for educators to use as a lesson in the classroom.  They include practice opportunities and printable activities.  These lessons will help students:  validate feelings and emotions; manage their response to emotions rather than change how they feel; understand that we are not our emotions. Lesson Plan Notes (School Mental Health Resource Training Center)

All Emotions Matter: Secondary Lesson Plans  - we are not born knowing how to express our emotions. It is a skill that needs to be taught, and a skill that needs to be practiced.  These slides were developed for educators to use as a lesson in the classroom.  They include practice opportunities and printable activities.  These lessons will help students:  validate feelings and emotions; manage their response to emotions rather than change how they feel; understand that we are not our emotions. Lesson Plan Notes (School Mental Health Resource Training Center)

Every Moment Counts (EMC) - A mental health promotion initiative developed to help all children and youth become mentally healthy in order to succeed in school, at home and in the community. The website shares practical information that can be used to promote positive mental health in all children and youth with and without disabilities and/or mental health challenges.

Find Support and Services - A provider search tool. (GA Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities)

Guidance to States and School Systems on Addressing Mental Health and Substance Use Issues in Schools - This bulletin provides states, schools, and school systems with information about addressing mental health and substance use issues in schools, including examples of approaches and best practice models to implement related services for students. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration- SAMSHA)

Group Interventions for Externalizing Behaviors - A well known distinction in the field of child psychology and psychiatry is the distinction between "externalizing" and "internalizing" disorders.  (University of Northern Colorado)

Group Interventions for Trauma and Suicide - PowerPoint describing evidence based interventions for trauma and suicide prevention (University of Northern Colorado)

Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness - The film presents an unvarnished window into daily life with mental health challenges, from seemingly insurmountable obstacles to stories of hope and resilience. Through the experiences of these young people, the film confronts the issues of stigma, discrimination, awareness, and silence, and, in doing so, help advance a shift in the public perception of mental health issues today. (Georgia Public Broadcast - GPB)

Hope Givers - A new, uplifting series highlighting hope and resilience across America! Hope Givers is a first of its kind, available at no cost, and aligned to standards for students in Grades 6-12. Episodes showcase real stories, animation shorts, youth self-care activities, student films, and musical performances. In every episode, our resident mental health professional, Dr. Reef Karim, provides a very relatable breakdown for students, teachers, and parents. Themes include Resilience, Connectedness, Advocacy, Goal-Setting, and having a Mentor/Trusted Adult.(Georgia Public Broadcast - GPB)

How to Start and Implement a School-Based Telehealth Program  - Infographic with information regrading implementation. (Georgia Voices for Children)

Interconnecting School Mental Health and School-Wide PBIS -  Provides step-by-step guidance for districts and schools to implement an Interconnected Systems Framework. (Center on PBIS Postivie Behavioral Interventions and Supports)

Introduction to Group Interventions  - A PowerPoint that describes the basics of starting a mental health group interventions for students. (University of Northern Colorado)

Mental Health and High School Curriculum Guide (the Guide) - The only evidence-based mental health curriculum resource that has been demonstrated to improve both teachers’ and students’ mental health literacy through usual teacher education and application in the classroom in a variety of program evaluations and research studies in Canada and elsewhere. (TeenMental Health.org)

Mental Health Issues Fact Sheets - Links to a diverse collection of papers and fact sheets that address children’s mental health issues and children’s access to care. (The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools)

Mental Health Month - Toolkit - This toolkit provides free, practical resources to introduce mental health topics like recognizing warning signs, knowing the factors that can lead to mental health conditions, maintaining mental wellness, and seeking help for mental health. (Mental Health America of Georgia)

Mental Health Resources - Information and links for leaders and practitioners to access a range of no-cost resources developed by us and others that can be used for: school improvement, professional development, and direct student/learning support. (Center for Mental Health in Schools & Student/Learning Supports)

Mental Health Training for Teachers -training to teachers and school staff on addressing some of the behavioral health challenges students face. (University of Nebraska Medical Center)

The National Training and Technical Assistance Center for Child, Youth, and Family Mental Health (NTTAC) - A SAMHSA-funded initiative to increase the access to, effectiveness of, and dissemination of evidence-based mental health services for young people (ages 0-21) and their families, including young people experiencing serious mental illness or serious emotional disturbance (SMI/SED). Resources and trainings available.

On Our Minds - The podcast tackles concerns about  the mental health crisis affecting young people nationwide. Each episode features two student reporters who cover stories about high schoolers and the teenage experience. (PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs)

Pocket Guide for Assisting Children and Youth - A resource to: Assist in identifying signs of a behavioral health crisis involving children and youth; Provide tools for deescalating/mediating a crisis;  Provide resources and support systems for children/youth with behavioral health and/or addictive diseases, their caregivers, and others who support them. (Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities -  GADBHDD)

Protecting Youth Mental Health - Offers recommendations for supporting the mental health of children, adolescents, and young adults, including essential recommendations for the institutions that surround young people and shape their day-to-day lives such as schools. (US Surgeon General's Advisory)

Recruitment and Retention of School Mental Health Providers: Strategies and Key Resources  - This report describes organizational and policy strategies to improve recruitment and retention of school mental health providers. Additionally, it identifies resources developed by reputable organizations to facilitate implementation of these strategies. The report aims to provide useful guidance on developing and maintaining the school mental health workforce for organizations (e.g. schools, school districts, and community mental health agencies) and policy makers involved in school mental health efforts. (Mental Health Technology Transfer Center)

Resilience Game -An online board game explores common scenarios that children may encounter in their day-to-day life at home or at school, and the resilience they may need for tackling them. (Harvard University - Center on the Developing Child) 

Resiliency Support Clubhouses - Program for youth is designed to provide a comprehensive and unique set of services for children and families coping with the isolation, stigma, and other challenges of mental health disorders. The clubhouse programs provide supportive services that include educational supports, employment services, peer support, family engagement, social activities, and other initiatives geared to engage youth and assist them in managing behaviors and symptoms. (Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)

Resources for Educators  - Provides strategies, resources lists, audits, surveys, discussion guides which includes key topics, all connected by our commitment to forefront caring and concern for the common good at school, at home, and in our communities. (Harvard Graduate School of Education: Making Caring Common Project)

Resource Library -  The Center strives to present information, especially scientific information, in a way that is accessible to a wide range of readers. Use the menus to filter by media type or topic. (Center of the Developing Child/Harvard University)

Resources on Child and Adolescent Mental Health - Mental health is an important part of overall health for children and adolescents. Many adults with mental disorders had symptoms that were not recognized or addressed in childhood or adolescence. Digital, sharable materials based on the latest research to help raise awareness about the importance of children’s mental health and early diagnosis and treatment. (National Institute of Mental Health)

School-Based Telehealth Implementation: Navigating Common Challenges to Increase Access to Care - This report summarizes effective practices relating to the key elements of SBTH programs: (1) stakeholder engagement — securing buy-in from all key stakeholders and recruiting and enrolling students; (2) technical capacity — procuring appropriate equipment and resources; (3) human resources and administrative capacity — identifying and training key personnel, developing provider relationships, communicating with primary care providers/children’s medical homes, and establishing adequate program space and management; and (4) financial capacity — ensuring financial sustainability. (Voices for Georgia's Children)

School Health Assessment and Performance Evaluation System - A school mental health quality assessment and resource library, to custom reports and a library of free and low-cost screening and assessment measures, SHAPE has the tools teams need to improve school mental health programming and sustainability in schools, districts, and states/territories.

School Mental Health CRISIS Leadership Lessons - The guide provides an overview of the crisis continuum; explores the intersection between school crises and school mental health leadership; and then examines each component of the school crisis continuum in depth, adding voices of experience from the field. (Mental Health Technology Transfer Center)

School Mental Health Practice Guide and Toolkit - Provides information, practice considerations, resources, and tools for schools. The purpose is to help Local Education Agencies plan and provide a comprehensive school mental health system. This toolkit supports schools with readiness to plan services and supports aligned with the Safe and Supportive Schools Program. (Advancing Wellness & Resilience in Education/Texas Education Agency)

School Mental Health Quality Guide Mental Health : Health Promotion Services & Supports (Tier 1) - Provides guidance to help school mental health systems advance the quality of their services and supports. This guide contains background information on mental health promotion services, best practices, possible action steps, examples from the field, and resources. (National Center for School Mental Health (NCSMH)

School Mental Health Quality Guide Early Intervention and Treatment Services & Supports (Tiers 2 & 3) - Provides guidance to help school mental health systems advance the quality of their services and supports. This guide contains background information on mental health promotion services, best practices, possible action steps, examples from the field, and resources. (National Center for School Mental Health (NCSMH)

School Mental Health Resources - The National Center for School Mental Health (NCSMH) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine is a technical assistance and training center with a focus on advancing research, training, policy, and practice in school mental health.

SEL and Internalizing Symptoms - PowerPoint conducting group counseling sessions and how SEL and internalizing symptoms manifest in group setting. (University of Northern Colorado)

School Connectedness: Strategies for Increasing Protective Factors Among Youth - This webpage contains fact sheets and training materials on strategies for increasing school connectedness for school administrators, teachers, and families.(Center for Disease Control)

Six Tools to Support Student Mental Health - The following are tools that educators can use to forge those critical relationships and support their students’ mental health in proactive, intentional ways throughout the school year—from the first day of school in the fall to graduation ceremonies in the spring. (Center for Whole Child Education)

Supporting the Mental Health of Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Toolkit - provides information about strategies that can be used by educators to help autistic students navigate situations that differ from their expectations. (Mental Health Technology Transfer Center)

Telehealth Resources - A statewide convenience contract for telehealth services was launched in 2022 through the State of Georgia Department of Administrative Services. Find out how to access vendors and their associated services. (Georgia Department of Education)

Telehealth Toolbox for School Personnel - A practical and concise guide to incorporating telehealth into your routine as a provider working with students.(Mental Health Technology Transfer Center)