Mental Health

Subtopics

At Risk Children

Conduct Issues

School Based Mental Health Services

Substance Use

Suicide Management

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

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.

Webinar

School-based Suicide Prevention: Promising Approaches and Opportunities for Research

Department of Health and Human Services, January 2022

This webinar shares new and innovative practices in school-based suicide prevention, focusing on risk identification, follow-up, and referral for additional services for high-risk youth.

Fact Sheet

Supporting Mental Health via Technology

Department of Education, July 2021

This information sheet reviews the value of focusing on mental health in schools, with an emphasis on leveraging technology. It highlights practical recommendations Title IV-A State coordinators can share with local education agencies (LEAs) to support their efforts to promote mental health strategies and skills, including links to resources LEAs and school staff may find useful for planning and implementation.

Webpage

Responding to COVID-19: Anxiety & Return to Work/School

Department of Health and Human Services, 2021

Returning to school or work in this current phase of COVID is perhaps less isolating, but still a time of stress and anxiety. This webpage includes resources developed by the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network and other reputable national organizations for individuals returning back to work and school in person.