What Kinds of Mental Health Services do Public Schools in the United States Provide?

Abstract

Abstract This article describes the first national survey of mental health services in a representative sample of the 83,000 United States (U.S.) public elementary, middle, and high schools and their associated school districts. The survey identified types of mental health problem encountered, types of service delivered, administrative arrangements for delivering/coordinating services, and the disciplines/qualifications of providers. Issues of funding, budgeting and resource allocation, and data use were also explored. Major findings indicated that mental health services are widely available in schools, and schools are attempting to respond to the mental health needs of students. However, schools report that the frequency and severity of mental health problems are increasing, while resource levels are static or decreasing. Further research is needed to explore issues such as the intensity and duration of school mental health services, adequacy of specialty training for school mental health providers, and effectiveness of combinations of preventive mental health and treatment services. Keywords: DATASTATISTICSSURVEYNATIONALMENTAL HEALTH TREATMENTPUBLIC SCHOOLS