School Mental Health
We partner with schools and districts to support student mental health and well-being by building schools' capacity to prevent, identify, and address behavioral health concerns.
comprehensive school mental health
Building effective systems to promote student mental health
Promoting emotional well-being and addressing students' trauma and mental health needs improves academic outcomes and fosters a positive school climate for all.
Mental health services in schools are also easier to access. Research shows that while most youth experiencing mental health challenges do not receive treatment, 70% of those who do access it through their schools.
Over time, addressing student mental health can even result in cost savings for school districts and communities.
Download our one-sheet overview of CHDI's school mental health initiatives
Our collaborative approach
- We partner with schools and districts to develop comprehensive school mental health plans.
- We help schools effectively and equitably address the trauma and behavioral health needs of students using research-based strategies.
- We develop innovative models and solutions and partner with state policymakers, schools, and districts to implement and sustain them.
- We work with policymakers and school leaders to improve school mental health infrastructure, policies, and practices.
- We foster school-community-family partnerships that connect schools, students, and their families to a wider range of community-based services.
Other school-based programs
The Connecticut School-Based Diversion Initiative (SBDI) reduces juvenile justice involvement among youth with behavioral health needs and connects them to community-based behavioral health supports.
To date, SBDI has served 76 schools across 26 school districts and continues to expand to additional schools each year.
We help schools identify and support students who have experienced trauma so they can recover and thrive. We do this through our online Trauma ScreenTIME Schools Course and through our partnership with the State of Connecticut to bring evidence-based trauma interventions to schools (CBITS and Bounce Back).
The Students Supporting Students Peer Support Program is a new model developed by CHDI that trains middle and high school students to participate in school-based peer support teams to help identify mental health signs and symptoms among their peers and refer them to trusted adults within the school.
The Connecticut School-Based Diversion Initiative (SBDI) reduces juvenile justice involvement among youth with behavioral health needs and connects them to community-based behavioral health supports.
To date, SBDI has served 76 schools across 26 school districts and continues to expand to additional schools each year.
We help schools identify and support students who have experienced trauma so they can recover and thrive. We do this through our online Trauma ScreenTIME Schools Course and through our partnership with the State of Connecticut to bring evidence-based trauma interventions to schools (CBITS and Bounce Back).
The Students Supporting Students Peer Support Program is a new model developed by CHDI that trains middle and high school students to participate in school-based peer support teams to help identify mental health signs and symptoms among their peers and refer them to trusted adults within the school.
Bridge to better results
CHDI's school mental health initiatives are making a measurable impact on thousands of students at hundreds of schools - in Connecticut and beyond.
- 24% Increase in students connected to behavioral health supports in participating SBDI schools
- 10,500+ Children screened for trauma and 4,900+ students received treatment through CBITS/Bounce Back
- 6,800+ School staff and child-serving professionals trained
- 128+ Schools in CT have used the SHAPE System for assessment and planning