School Based Mental Health as it relates to Student Outcomes

Over twenty percent of youth have a major mental illness, yet only approximately one third of these children receive treatment. Many students struggle with social emotional learning deficits, mental health concerns, chronic poverty and trauma, which significantly impacts their ability to learn. These concerns affect academic achievement as demonstrated by lower graduation rates, higher suspension rates, higher absenteeism, and lower grade point averages. School-based mental health practices are a proactive measure to improve student outcomes for all students. The Every Student Succeeds Act provides increased opportunity for schools to implement evidence-based programs to address these concerns