MENTAL HEALTH - Initiating
Professional Development > Learning Paths > School Mental Health Readiness
According to the literature, 3.8 million U.S. children have unmet mental health needs. Of children with an identified mental health need, only a little bit over half, 51% get the mental health support they need. Of those students, 58% get that help in schools. There is also a shortage of mental health providers, and many barriers to people finding linguistically and culturally appropriate services on top of other barriers that we know exist in school communities. For many students, schools are the first and only setting in which they receive behavioral health supports. This is why this topic is so critical for schools and districts.
The resources below are recommended for schools or districts starting in this work. Your school or district may be exploring this work and wondering where to begin.Â

- 45 minutes
The School Mental Health Quality Assessment is designed for schools to assess the comprehensiveness of the school mental health system, and identify priority areas for improvement. The assessment covers seven domains: 1) Teaming; 2) Needs Assessment and Resource Mapping; 3) Mental Health Screening; 4) Mental Health Promotion – Tier 1; 5) Early Intervention and Treatment – Tier 2 & 3; 6) Funding and Sustainability; and 7) Impact. The assessment is best done as a team that has broad and diverse participation to ensure meaningful assessment, successful planning, and implementation. There is also a version that can be used at the district level.Â

- 30 minutes
This report highlights the current strengths and barriers related to promoting healthy outcomes for students living with mental health concerns, and provides actionable recommendations and strategies to ensure that all children and families have access to the services and supports they need in order to thrive. From the Baker Center for Children and Families, 2023)

- 75 mins

University of Washington school psychologist Dr. Janine Jones and her husband Dr. Brent Jones, superintendent of a large public school district, discuss the biggest challenges schools are facing, where more research is needed, and what feels hopeful. Link
- 7 minutes
- Setting the State for Successful Implementation of Tier 2 Interventions

- 60 mins