Why Develop School-Based Mental Health Services?
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Nearly 1 in 6 (8.23 million) children have a mental health condition in the United States.
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Only 50% will receive any mental health treatment
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Students are 21x more likely to meet with a school-based clinician than a community mental health provider
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Children who are BIPOC and/or from lower socioeconomic status are more likely to receive mental health services in school.
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School-based mental health services promote greater school connectedness which has been linked to better mental health outcomes.
(Nami.org) (Duong et. al, 2021) (Ali et.al, 2019) (Steiner et al., 2019)
Ally, who received school-based mental health services, shares the importance of these services for Latina/o/x youth. (1m55s)
School-Based
Mental Health: Creating a Safe Space to Build Connection
Listen to former students who participated in school-based mental health services describe the value of finding a safe space in school. (1m35s)
Dr. Gale conducted research with Black students. He discusses barriers to school connection & how school clinicians can support Black students' connection to school. (2m 48s)
Developing School-Based Mental Health Programs
As you begin to think about developing programming for your school I encourage you to think beyond individual and group therapy.
Being in a school enables you to develop creative programming to support students' mental and social well-being. You are also uniquely positioned to intervene directly with peer conflicts, difficulties with teachers, and challenges they may be experiencing at home.
Here you will find recommended components for school-based services based on best practices and the feedback from individuals who participated in school-based mental health services.
MTSS Components of
School-Based Mental Health Services
How school-based mental health services can be created and implemented using the MTSS framework
Tier 1 Components
School-based mental health services can benefit all students. The following are recommended Tier 1 strategies:
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Set up a student lounge where students can go during free periods or lunch. Provide access to board games, art supplies, conversation starter cards, and comfortable seating. with students in a relaxed atmosphere. It also helps students to connect.
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Create events and activities like yoga, arts & crafts, video gaming, holiday parties, and awareness day events (ie suicide prevention day). These activities provide students with a non-intimidating way to connect with school clinicians and other students
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Take students on field trips. Students bond over new shared experiences and are exposed to new opportunities.
Supporting Social Connection
A former student shares how school-based mental health services supported social connection through Tier 1 strategies (1m7s)
Targeted Intervention
I was lucky enough to meet amazing social workers who really changed the trajectory of my life. I would not be getting accepted into doctorate programs if it wasn’t for them supporting me, believing in me, and helping me understand what I was going through and how to cope with it back then. Being in those services has made me more confident in asking for help when I am faced with a challenge. It also taught me how to become an advocate for myself.
Gianna participated in a summer program developed to support socialization and connection through her school's mental health program.
Tier 2 Components
Tier 2 components are targeted strategies that are delivered short-term individually or in a group. The purpose of these interventions is to prevent students from developing more significant social, emotional, behavioral, or mental health concerns. They may include:
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Groups on topics like grief, social skills, self-esteem, anxiety, and anger management.
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In-class interventions; for example cultural adjustment in multilingual learner classrooms.
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Short-term (6-8weeks) individual counseling
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Summer programs for identified students in need of mental health, social, &/or educational support.
Tier 3 Components
Wraparound strategies are for students experiencing significant mental health, behavior, & social struggles. Services are individualized and will remain in place for as long as necessary and may include:
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Individual & family counseling
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Referral & case management services between school & outside agencies, hospitals, doctors etc.
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Advocacy for the appropriate level of care & education in the least restrictive learning environment.
Long-term Support
Two former students share how school-based counseling supported their mental health. ( 1m 43s)
