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At Risk Children Information about At Risk Children Conduct Issues Information about Conduct Issues School Based Mental Health Services Information about School Based Mental Health Services Substance Use Information about Substance Use Suicide Management Information about Suicide Management Training, Partnership, and Capacity Building Information about Training, Partnership, and Capacity Building

Make schools safer by improving access to mental health services.

Students often come to school with complex physical and mental health concerns or social service needs. Access to mental health services helps to create a positive school climate, prevents worsening of mental health conditions, and leads to better outcomes for students.

Mental health challenges are common among students. According to the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine, up to 1 in 5 children living in the United States experience a mental disorder every year. Symptoms often start in early childhood, although some may develop during the teenage years.

By supporting students who are experiencing mental health challenges, schools can help foster a sense of safety and promote better academic and behavioral outcomes. Providing access to mental health services can reduce mental, emotional, and behavioral difficulties with students at risk.

Use the filter below to sort resources available based upon stages of preparedness and subtopic.

Featured Resources

These resources are a starting point for learning about mental health. Use these resources to support the mental health needs of students, educators, and staff. Members of the school community can also download this SchoolSafety.gov infographic to learn more about mental health and access a sampling of resources.

Guidance
Mental Health
National School Mental Health Best Practices: Implementation Guidance Modules

Department of Health and Human Services

These resources – which include modules containing trainer and participant manuals, slide decks, and recorded virtual learning sessions – are designed to help states, districts, and schools advance comprehensive school mental health, as well as engage in a planning process around implementation of services.

Filter Resources

All Mental Health Resources

The federal government identified additional resources that highlight strategies for school safety. Use these resources to learn more about mental health.

Guidance
Mental Health
Protecting Youth Mental Health

Department of Health and Human Services, December 2021

The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory offers recommendations for supporting the mental health of children, adolescents, and young adults. The Advisory includes essential recommendations for the institutions that surround young people and shape their day-to-day lives—schools, community organizations, health care systems, technology companies, media, funders and foundations, employers, and government.

Report
Mental Health
A Study of the Pre-Attack Behaviors of Active Shooters in the U.S.

Department of Justice, June 2018

This report provides the general public with an understanding of pre-attack behaviors, as examined in 63 active shooters from the past. The report insights include detailed information on the mental health, behavior prior to the attack and specific stressors of each shooter.

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