School mental health programming include an array of services that address prevention, early intervention and treatment needs of students to facilitate well being and positive healthy youth development.
The provision of mental health services involve partnerships between schools and community health/mental health organizations guided by families and youth and is culturally and linguistically competent. Services are integrated into existing school programs, services and strategies focusing on the student population as a whole.
Schools are a natural setting for the provision of programs and services that meet the mental health needs of students. Schools strive to create safe, caring and enriching environments that foster healthy student development, positive academic outcomes, and reduce problems
Addressing the mental health needs of students enhances factors that increase a student’s ability to succeed in and reduces factors that interfere with a student’s ability to succeed in school. School mental health strategies have been shown to improve academic outcomes, reduce disciple referrals, increase graduation rates, increase student attendance and facilitate a positive school climate.
Weist, M. D. & Paternite, C. E. (2006). Building an interconnected policy-training-practice-research agenda to advance school mental health. Education and Treatment of Children, 29, 173-196.
Cunningham, D. (2011). The Role of Mental Health in Schools. Presentation at the 2011 OSDFS National Conference: Washington, DC.
