School-based mental health services are supports provided within schools to address students’ emotional, behavioral, and psychological well-being. Services aim to identify and respond to mental health needs early, reducing barriers to learning.
They include prevention, assessment, and intervention efforts such as individual and group counseling, crisis response, and mental health education. Services often address concerns like anxiety, depression, trauma, behavioral challenges, and social skills. School-based mental health providers also collaborate with teachers, families, and community agencies to ensure coordinated care and appropriate referrals when more intensive support is needed.
Overall, these services promote a safe and supportive school environment, improve students’ well-being, and enhance their ability to succeed academically and socially.
When Is School-Based Therapy Needed?
- Academic Underachievement
- Anxiety
- Concerns about sexual health
- Destructive behavior/vandalism/stealing
- Defiance or aggression towards authority
- Disciplinary referrals/suspension
- Family concerns
- Legal Problems (arrest, probation, DJJ)
- Loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy
- Poor peer socialization
- Runaway
- School attendance/truancy
- Self-harm
- Stealing/theft/breaking and entering
- Substance Use
- Suicide Risk
- Verbal abuse/threats/fights