SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL-HEALTH - TOWARD A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH

In response to psychosocial problems that affect schooling, school-based mental health programs have proliferated. Available evidence, however, suggests such programs often are planned and implemented in a narrow and piece meal fashion. As a result, there is little coordination for integration and continuity with each other or with other school and community-based programs. In addressing the problem, this paper briefly (a) summarizes conclusions from a descriptive survey of one school district's programmatic efforts, (b) discusses the role of school mental health specialists related to such programs, and (c) outlines processes for moving toward a comprehensive school-based approach in addressing mental health concerns.