Understanding School Resources for Mental Health

Schools can play an important role in supporting youth mental health and wellness. Some school systems help students manage their mental health concerns — in fact, teens are almost as likely to receive social, emotional and behavioral health supports at school as they are beyond school walls. In the 2021–22 academic year, 96% of public schools offered at least one type of mental health service.

Some youth feel comfortable receiving mental health support in school, while others prefer to be seen outside of school. In some situations, utilizing both school and outside resources can be helpful, which means navigating two systems at once. It is a personal decision as to what works best for you, your child, and your family.

Ask about the resources that exist in your school community. Even if your school district provides behavioral or mental health services, it might not have the support necessary to meet your adolescent’s needs. Mental health related resources vary widely depending on local and school funding, as well as level of services and staffing capacity. For example:

• Many school districts have school-based behavioral health resources provided by school social workers, or school psychologists, school counselors, and school nurses. They offer a range of student services such as counseling, prevention programming, group work, crisis response and management, or grief and trauma counseling.
• Many schools also have embedded partnerships with community-based behavioral health organizations and telehealth providers. These services often are provided on-site in school during the school day.
• Other districts provide care coordination and school-linked mental health services, meaning they do not offer mental health support as part of the school day but can connect and refer families with community resources that can help. Private schools may, but don’t always, offer more resources. In some cases, they have fewer resources available.

How to reach out to your school for help

If you’re concerned about your child’s behavior, emotions, or overall mental health, a good first step is to talk to their advisor, counselor, homeroom teacher, or another member of the faculty who knows them well. Teachers can share insights on the strengths and challenges your child demonstrates in class, while you share what you observe at home. Together, you can discuss the mental health resources available within your school district, which can help you decide on the best next steps. Teachers or a school website can direct you to school-based, embedded partnerships or school-linked mental health resources such as a:

School psychologist: A licensed professional who specializes in mental wellness for school-age children and families. A school psychologist can conduct assessments like evaluations for special education accommodations, provide counseling, run prevention programming, coordinate with school staff, and consult with both health care and mental health providers outside of the school system.

School social worker: A trained and licensed mental health professional who can assist with concerns around mental health or behavior. School social workers consult with caregivers, as well as teachers or administrators, to help support students. They can help identify mental health services and resources, manage care coordination and referrals outside of school, and may also provide individual or group counseling.

School counselor: A certified or licensed professional with varied training and degrees depending on state and school district requirements. School counselors work with students on academic planning, achievement, and goal-setting. They also help guide students in making post–high school choices, such as work, military service, or further education. At some schools, these counselors also focus on emotions and interpersonal skills or mental health programming.

School nurse: A registered nurse who provides medical care in the school setting. This may include mental health care, or a school nurse may refer you to another resource.

Affinity groups: Some schools offer affinity groups such as LGBTQ+, students of color, and students of faith, to provide specific support to students who identify as belonging to these communities. Schools may also offer other groups such as social skills groups, groups for young people whose parents are going through separation or divorce, or grief groups.

There is overlap in the roles and responsibilities in the positions above, and many of the providers do similar work. You’ll want to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the professionals that may exist in your school community, as they may vary.