Making health a priority
Because children and youth spend the majority of their time in school, schools play an increasingly critical role in supporting these students and providing a safe, non-stigmatizing, and supportive natural environment in which children, youth, and families have access to prevention, early intervention, and treatment through school-based mental health programs.
Schools Are a Natural Setting to Support Mental Health
School-based mental health is becoming a vital part of student support systems. According to the most recent data in 2005, over one-third of school districts used school or district staff to provide mental health services, and over one-fourth used outside agencies to provide mental health services in the schools.
The President’s Now Is the Time plan to improve access to mental health care in our schools and communities emphasizes the urgency to “make sure students and young adults get treatment for mental health issues” through early identification, referral for treatment, training for school teachers in early detection and response to mental illness, assistance for schools to address pervasive violence, and training for additional mental health professionals to provide mental health services in schools.
Implementing School-Based Mental Health Services
Friends of Solid Foundation in partnership with Solid Foundation Christian Academy is able to implement school-based community mental health services with our partner Positive Growth, Inc. school-based therapists or social workers. Positive Growth, Inc. partners with us as a community mental health organization to develop an integrated, comprehensive program of support and services for the students we serve to do the following:
Develop evidence-based programs to provide a positive school climate and promote student skills in dealing with bullying and conflicts, solving problems, developing healthy peer relationships, engaging in activities to prevent suicide and substance use, and so on.
Develop early intervention services for students in need of additional support such as skill groups to deal with grief, anger, anxiety, sadness, etc.
Develop treatment programs and services that address the various mental health needs of students.
Develop student and family support and resources for mothers and their children.
Develop a school culture in which teachers and other student support staff are trained to recognize the early warning signs of mental health issues in students.
Develop a referral process to ensure that all students have equal access to services and support.
Allow these community-based mental health services to bridge the gap between home and school
Ensures regular school attendance for students, reducing missed work days and lost wages for parents.
Better management of chronic medical and behavioral conditions as well as education on preventable conditions in children without disrupting learning time.
Serves as a complement to children who have a pediatrician and offers access during the academic school day.
Gives children who need parents, school, and health care facilities to work together to come up with education plans (with a doctor as needed).
Forges a relationship with parents to help them stay in the loop.
Benefits of school-based healthcare
Support student health care
If you'd like to learn more about school-based healthcare or discuss how you can contribute, we'd love to hear from you! Contact us today to find out how you can get involved and become part of the Friends of Solid Foundation community.