School Based Mental Health
It has long been acknowledged that psychosocial problems negatively affect learning and performance. At any given time, between 15 and 25% of children experience behavioral and emotional difficulties, yet less than 2% of children are seen by mental health professionals.
Children with untreated behavioral and emotional problems are likely to experience difficulties with many aspects of their functioning, and are more likely to have problems that are severe and persist over time. Children who are involved in bullying are at even higher risk.
Our counseling services involve:
Identifying children who are at risk for emotional and psychosocial difficulties
Providing individual psychotherapy with family and educational support
Collaborating with the school community to build an emotionally healthy and positive school climate through education and skill development
Availability of distinct mental health services not only enhances our bullying prevention programming, but it also improves the functioning of all of the students who are in need of mental health support.
The entire school climate is positively changed because learning is not impeded with emotional and behavioral problems.
When children are emotionally healthy, they perform better in school and experience increased satisfaction in relationships.
Strengthening the mental health of our children benefits all of us.
Watch this excerpt from “It’s Just a Phase…Right?”