Mental Health

Subtopics

At-Risk Children

Conduct Issues

School-Based Mental Health Services

Substance Use

Suicide Management

Training, Partnership, and Capacity Building

Promote better student outcomes through mental health programs and support.

Mental health is an important part of a child’s overall health and well-being. It can affect how children think, feel, and act and is shaped by a combination of individual and community factors. Mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation have become more common among young people.

K-12 schools are critical partners in supporting the mental health and well-being of students. In addition to education, schools provide opportunities for social, mental health, and physical health services that can help protect against negative outcomes. Schools can also serve as communities of support, connecting students to caring adults and encouraging positive peer relationships.

School mental health programming can include an array of services that address prevention, early intervention, and treatment needs of students. By supporting students who are experiencing mental health challenges, schools can help foster a sense of safety, prevent worsening of mental health conditions, and create better outcomes.

Strategies to Consider

There are several strategies schools and districts can implement to support student mental health and well-being. Some of these measures include:

Provide access to school-based mental health services and/or connect students and their families to community providers and resources.
Implement multi-tiered systems of support that address students’ academic, behavioral, mental health, and social and emotional needs.
Increase student and staff mental health literacy through classroom-based activities, training, and curricula.
Promote social, emotional, and behavioral learning programs that improve students’ social skills and emotional development.
Integrate trauma-informed practices that recognize, respond to, and support students affected by traumatic stress.
Foster positive, safe, and affirming learning environments and engage families to build school connectedness.

Featured Resources

These resources are a starting point for learning more about mental health. Use these resources to support the mental health needs of students, educators, and staff.

Additionally, SchoolSafety.gov regularly publishes issue briefs that provide a high-level overview of a specific school safety topic as well as a sampling of aligned strategies, resources, programs, and tools. Download and explore mental health-related issue briefs below.

Guidance

Model School District Policy on Suicide Prevention

Third Party, 2019

This resource provides a thorough plan for school districts to implement suicide prevention policies in their community. It includes specific, actionable steps to support school personnel; sample language for student handbooks; suggestions for involving parents and guardians in suicide prevention; and guidance for addressing in-school suicide attempts.

Guidance

Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being in Schools: An Action Guide for School and District Leaders

Department of Health and Human Services, 2023

This guide describes six in-school strategies to promote and support mental health and well-being. It includes aligned approaches, or specific ways to put each strategy into action, as well as examples of evidence-based policies, programs, and practices.

Program

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Department of Health and Human Services

This program offers 24/7 call, text and chat access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. The corresponding webpage provides additional resources and information for strengthening suicide prevention and mental health crisis services.

Report

Social Media and Youth Mental Health - The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory

Department of Health and Human Services, 2023

This advisory describes the current evidence on the impacts of social media on the mental health of children and adolescents. It states that we cannot conclude social media is sufficiently safe for children and adolescents and outlines immediate steps to mitigate the risk of harm to children and adolescents.

Filter Resources

All Mental Health Resources

Access additional resources below to learn more about mental health and related best practices. Use the filters to sort resources based on subtopic and/or preparedness action.

Guidance

Protecting Youth Mental Health

Department of Health and Human Services, December 2021

The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory offers recommendations for supporting the mental health of children, adolescents, and young adults. The Advisory includes essential recommendations for the institutions that surround young people and shape their day-to-day lives—schools, community organizations, health care systems, technology companies, media, funders and foundations, employers, and government.

Webpage

Responding to COVID-19: School Mental Health

Department of Health and Human Services, 2021

Public health emergencies such as COVID-19 have a significant impact on students and their families, educators and the school mental health workforce, as well as the school mental health system. The Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network recognizes this and is available to assist the school mental health workforce by providing training and technical assistance.

Guidance

Strategies for Educators to Support the Social and Emotional Needs of Students Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Demand for Racial Justice: Plans for Reopening Schools

Department of Education, July 2020

Educators and students alike are facing unprecedented uncertainty around the 2020-2021 school year. Regardless of how learning is organized—remote, in-person, or hybrid—it is crucial for schools to focus on restoring environments and relationships that support student wellness, connection, and ultimately, achievement.