Promoting and supporting mental health and wellbeing in schools and colleges

The strategies in this action guide can align with schools’ existing MTSS to enhance the work schools have already started. This webpage features fact sheets, publications, brochures, and other materials related to child and adolescent mental health. Use the filters to sort resources based on subtopic and/or preparedness action. Access additional resources below to learn more about mental health and related best practices. Mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation have become more common among young people.

mental health in schools

– Integrate Mental Health Apps and Online Resources

mental health in schools

“As a young adult, I can even remember myself in middle school. I didn’t want to talk to a lot of people, didn’t want to talk to my parents because I didn’t want them to like, yell at me,” he said. State and then to the WNBA, Melvin said her family didn’t always understand mental health. The change suggests that post-pandemic stressors beyond school-related factors now influence adolescent mental health. The economic and social impact of the pandemic may have increased home-based stressors such as job loss, financial uncertainty and social isolation. “That’s why this campaign supports youth, parents, and caregivers in having those conversations early, before an issue arises.” Resources were also created for parents and caregivers around youth substance use and mental health challenges.

  • Diagnosis is often made in the school years but can sometimes be earlier, depending on the condition.
  • Participants will learn how to use a decision-making framework to connect screening data to interventions for all students, including racially and ethnically diverse youth.
  • These “universal interventions” are lessons taught to entire classes, regardless of any student’s individual needs.
  • Quist said her 17-year-old son, Darian, was on lockdown in the school for more than two hours.
  • We must also consider the social context.

The Ongoing Commitment of Schools and Mental Health Centers

mental health in schools

“I was about to go run down to the school, but my coworker held https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/commentary/why-and-how-leaders-should-tackle-teacher-wellness me back. And then I was able to get Darian on the phone to know he was OK,” she said. Quist said her 17-year-old son, Darian, was on lockdown in the school for more than two hours. The attack was Canada’s deadliest rampage since 2020, when a gunman in Nova Scotia killed 13 people and set fires that left another nine dead.

K-12 schools are critical partners in supporting the mental health and well-being of students. We can improve student outcomes through social and emotional supports by building positive relationships and increasing school engagement to help concentrate on learning. School mental health services and supports are an effective means of addressing the mental health needs of children and improving the learning environment.

Top 10 Ways to Support Mental Health in Schools

mental health in schools

This includes a focus on addressing differences in social determinants of health to accelerate progress towards achieving health equity. CDC’s public health strategy to improve mental health is guided by principles of health equity. CDC uses its expertise in public health data, science, and systems to improve mental health outcomes in the U.S.

mental health in schools