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In most communities, despite a large number of children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral problems, there is a shortage of health professionals trained to provide needed care. While schools have helped fill the gap through the supportive services of guidance counselors, many parents and school staff report continued unmet mental health needs. There is a growing awareness of the emotional stresses experienced by many students and a willingness on the part of school officials to explore new responses. If you are concerned about the availability of mental health programs at your child's school, here is some background information to consider. Also included are some initial questions to ask about what is available for students (and their families) at school and steps you might take to assess the value of expanding those services.
[Download free checklist -- PDF format]
1. Who provides mental health services at your school?
There is no standard model for mental health services in schools. Most school systems employ guidance counselors. Many also employ or contract with school psychologists to assess students with disabilities, as required by federal law. Social workers may also be on staff to link students with community-based services as well as to provide social supports. Community agencies that provide mental health services or substance abuse services may also locate their services within the school. Identifying who provides mental health services, when, and to what students may require substantial time and effort. A good place to start might be the school's guidance department or the Assistant Principal responsible for student assistance. As always, it is helpful to learn the educational background, credentials and experience that each professional brings to his or her responsibilities.
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2. What mental health services are provided in the school building full-time or part-time?
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- Individual diagnosis and treatment of emotional and behavioral health problems
- Family counseling
- Group counseling sessions for students
- Alcohol abuse assessment
- Alcohol abuse treatment
- Drug abuse assessment
- Drug abuse treatment
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- Help for low income families in accessing community-based services
- Assessments of students with disabilities
- Counseling for children with learning disabilities
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3. Who is eligible to receive mental health services offered within the school?
Unlike school nurses who provide care to the general population, mental health professionals in schools may be available only to certain students. School psychologists may primarily or exclusively assess whether students are eligible for Section 504 or IDEA services (i.e. special education programs). Social workers, who may provide care to the general student population, may be assigned to work exclusively in schools with large numbers of low income students.
4. What should parents do if available mental health support does not appear to match the requirements of the school community?
As in the case of medical services, if concerns arise, it is wise to consult with other parents, school staff, and community professionals to further assess mental health needs within the school and consider possible ways of expanding its mental health program. Steps you might consider include the following:
- Talk with other parents and school staff about their concerns. Are more services for individual children needed or is the primary goal to create a more positive, peaceful school environment?
- Ask the health professionals who provide services within the school to describe what unmet emotional or behavioral health needs they see and what steps they recommend to provide stronger support for children.
- Consider involving community-based health professionals, for example, pediatricians, psychologists, clinical social workers, substance abuse agencies, and mental health agencies, to explore how these individuals and agencies might contribute.
- Get to know the range of mental health services being offered in other school districts.
- With a clear picture of children's needs, school needs, and current gaps in the school's mental health program, meet with your school board members and school district officials to discuss what you have learned and suggest some next steps.
- Remember: If a stronger, more effective mental health services are a priority for you and other parents, they will become a priority for the school board and school system as well.
Resources
Local School Districts
Austin (TX) Independent School District.
Guidance & Counseling. Program Overview. 2006.
www.austinisd.org/academics/sss/gc/about.phtml
Los Angeles Unified School District.
Student Health Services. Mental Health. 2000. http://notebook.lausd.net/portal/page?_pageid=33
,130026&_dad=ptl&_schema=PTL_EP
Prince George's County Public Schools.
Department of Guidance Services.
http://www.pgcps.org/~guidance/
State Guidelines
State of Maine.
School Health Manual: Mental Health.
www.state.me.us/education/sh/mentalhealth.htm
State of Texas. Department of Health.
Guide to State Health Programs. Chapter 6. Mental Health in Schools.
www.dshs.state.tx.us/schoolhealth/chap6.pdf
Other Resources
Center for Health and Health Care in Schools.
The Answer in at School: Bringing Health Care to Our Students. 1993.
www.healthinschools.org/sbhcs/papers/answer.asp
Children's Mental Health Needs and School-Based Services: A Fact Sheet. 2002.
www.healthinschools.org/cfk/mentfact.asp
Psychotropic Drugs and Children: Use, Trends, and Implications for Schools. June 2004.
www.healthinschools.org/sh/psychotropic.asp
Center for Health and Health Care in Schools.
Children's Mental Health: Current Challenges and A Future Direction by S. Olbrich. 2002.
www.healthinschools/mhs.asp
National Assembly on School-Based Health Care.
SBHC Operations Tool Kit on CD-ROM. 2001.
http://nasbhc.org/TAT/OTK_Table_of_contents.pdf The HSC Foundation.
Partnering with Your Child's School: A Guide for Parents.
Information and Resources for Families of Children with Health and/or Mental Health Care Needs.
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