Skip to main content

Comprehensive School Mental Health

We partner with schools to promote a comprehensive, strategic approach to school mental health.

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 APPROACH

The Comprehensive School Mental Health Model

Overview: Comprehensive School Mental Health Model

CHDI approaches school mental health with a comprehensive lens that integrates health promotion, prevention, early intervention, and treatment in collaboration with community providers. We co-developed a Comprehensive School Mental Health (CSMH) model with the National Center for School Mental Health at the University of Maryland that integrates a trauma-informed, multi-tiered system of supports for school mental health.

Read About the CSMH Model

Assessment & planning

We partner with schools, districts, and state agencies to help them take stock of their current mental health services, assess their needs, funding, and capacity, identify quality improvement priorities, and develop realistic, custom plans to reach their goals using the SHAPE System.

Start Your Plan

Implementation

We work with schools and districts across the state to build Comprehensive School Mental Health (CSMH) systems with multi-tiered systems of support to address behavioral health needs and support the well-being of the entire school community.

We provide ongoing technical assistance and support to help schools and districts successfully implement, evaluate, and refine their CSMH plans.

Get Implementation Support

Results for Students, Schools, and Communities

Schools that integrate comprehensive school mental health services see positive results, including:

  • Improved social and academic outcomes for students
  • Fewer special education referrals, disciplinary actions, and restrictive placements
  • Improved school climate and culture
  • Greater family and community engagement
  • Healthier development and better access to a continuum of quality health care services for students
  • Cost savings for schools, districts and communities

    •