Mental Health Services
Comprehensive mental health services in a high school are designed to support the emotional, psychological, and social well-being of students. These services extend beyond addressing crises—they aim to prevent issues, provide early intervention, and promote mental wellness throughout the school community.
Prevention & Education: Build awareness and resilience among students, staff, and families.
- Mental Health Education in health classes/ through school-wide programs
- Anti-bullying Awareness
- Substance Use Education - Prevention, Intervention and Referral
- Social-emotional learning (SEL) teaching skills like empathy, emotion regulation, conflict resolution
- District Workshops for Parents/Guardians
Screening & Early Identification: Identify students who may need help before issues escalate.
- Universal Mental Health Screenings (with consent) through BH-Works for grades 9-12 help parents understand the changes their teens go through. Regardless of the screening results, parents receive valuable information. For most, it reassures that their teen is experiencing normal growing pains, while for others, it helps identify early issues so they can get timely support and prevent bigger problems later.
- Behavioral Observation Protocols used by teachers and staff
- Anonymous Reporting Tool: STOPit app allows individuals to anonymously report safety, misconduct, or other safety situations.
In School Mental Health Services: Provide accessible care within the school.
- School Counselors for academic, emotional, and social support
- School Student Assistance Counselors (SAC) for intervention, prevention and referral and crisis intervention
- School Student Advocates to support students facing school academic, social and/or family issues
Crisis Intervention: Respond quickly and effectively to emergencies.
- Crisis Response Teams trained in suicide prevention, violence prevention, and trauma support
- Partnerships with local crisis centers or hospitals
- Post-crisis Follow-up and reintegration support for returning students
Referral & Collaboration with Community Services: Ensure students receive specialized or short/long-term care when needed.
- Referral systems to connect students to community mental health providers
- Care coordination between school staff and outside providers (with appropriate consent)
Safe & Supportive School Environment: Foster a culture that promotes student mental well-being.
- Inclusive School Policies that address discrimination and promote equity
- Restorative Justice Practices instead of punitive discipline
- Safe Spaces for students to decompress
Continuous Evaluation & Improvement: Ensure services are effective and meet the needs of the school community.
- Data collection counseling services usage, outcomes, and student feedback
- Regular program reviews and adjustments based on evidence
Staff and Student Surveys on school climate and mental health support