Although student mental health is not necessarily a school safety issue, state legislators have considered various approaches to ensure students are supported and have access to the mental and behavioral health resources they need in the context of a broader school safety discussion. States have taken innovative approaches to the coordination of mental and behavioral health services for students in the face of limited resources and logistical obstacles. Various policy options include training and professional development, instructional requirements, and increasing the accessibility of professionals through staffing requirements and partnerships with external providers.
Some states have pursued policies to require training or professional development in mental health first aid and evaluation for school personnel, as well as curriculum and course requirements for students to raise awareness.
Both Connecticut and Washington require mental health first aid training for school personnel, while at least eight states enacted legislation instituting similar requirements during the 2018 legislative session.
At least four states, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, and Virginia, currently address mental health instruction in schools. New York and Virginia enacted legislation in the 2018 session implementing a requirement. Minnesota (2013) and Massachusetts (2018), enacted similar legislation although the legislation encouraged, but did not require, mental health instruction.
Although measures to train students and staff are beneficial for raising awareness, reducing stigma and identifying warning signs, states have also implemented innovative programs to ensure students have access to mental health services and professionals. The following table outlines examples of state statutory requirements for the coordination of mental health services.
Statute
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Effective Date
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Description
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Connecticut Gen. Stat. § 19a-6p
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July 1, 2013
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Provides that a school-based health center may extend its hours of operation, provide services to students who do not reside in the school district that such school-based health center is located, provide behavioral health services, expand the health care services provided by such school-based health center, conduct community outreach relating to services provided by such school-based health center, and receive reimbursement for services from private insurance.
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Iowa Code § 225C.54
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July 1, 2015
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Allows for state block grant allocation to develop a wide range of children, youth and family services through existing community mental health centers and other local service partners. Services include, but are not limited to, school-based mental health projects, mobile crisis intervention services, and mental health assessment capacity development based in public and nonpublic schools and clinical settings. States that to maximize federal financial participation, the Human Services Division will analyze the feasibility of leveraging Medicaid administrative funding and existing Medicaid options, such as expanding the home and community-based services waiver for children’s mental health services.
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Maryland Education Code Ann. § 7-440
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July 1, 2017
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Requires the Department of Health with the Department of Education to recommend best practices for county boards of education to provide to students with behavioral needs assessments and individualized or group behavioral health counseling services with a health care provider through a school-based health center or through community-partnered school-based behavioral health services.
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School-based mental health initiatives have also been pursued at the Local Education Agency (LEA) level. For example, the Boston Public Schools Comprehensive Behavior Health Model (CBHM) provides a model for leveraging resources and engaging stakeholders to ensure access to mental and behavioral health supports.
In addition to LEA efforts, nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities have pursued innovative approaches to offering students access to mental and behavioral health services. Texas Tech University’s Telemedicine Wellness, Intervention, Triage and Referral Project (TWITR) leverages telemedicine services to intervene with junior high through high school students who are at risk for injury or harm to others or themselves in school settings. The program includes school personnel training, risk-assessment procedures and access to telehealth sessions with a Texas Tech University Health Service Center psychiatrist.
Finally, the National Association of School Psychologists released a "Framework for Safe Successful Schools", which outlines evidence-based practices to increase school safety and access to mental health services for students.
For more information on student and children's mental health, contact the NCSL Health Program.