About Us

Purpose

The purpose of the School Mental Health Collaborative: Research, Training and Technical Assistance Center (SMHC at °®¶¹´«Ã½) is to conduct research that informs policy and practice related to the social, emotional and behavioral success of all students and to support the implementation of evidence-based mental health practices in educational settings.

The SMHC advocates a dual-factor model of mental wellness that promotes student well-being and resilience factors while addressing mental health challenges and risk factors. °®¶¹´«Ã½ with complete mental health exhibit signs of well-being, such as happiness and strong relationships, and conversely exhibit few signs of mental health challenges, like symptoms of depression, anxiety, or behavior problems.

Complete Mental Health (adopted from °®¶¹´«Ã½ AWARE, Complete Mental Health; Suldo & Romer - PDF)

The Need

American youth are experiencing mental health challenges at unprecedented levels.  

Ten human icons two of which are highlighted

Approximately 20% of school-age children and youth have a diagnosable mental health disorder, 10% exhibiting severe impairment. 

Ten human icons four of which are highlighted

42% of high school students in the U.S. reported signs of depression, 22% seriously considered suicide, the 3rd leading cause of death in youth 15-19. 

Ten human icons seven of which are highlighted

An estimated 70% of children have experienced some type of physical or emotional trauma.

There is a critical need for research and dissemination of accessible, feasible, and evidence-based assessments and interventions that promote student well-being and resiliency, mitigate the impact of mental health challenges, and foster student academic achievement in the school setting.  

  • School is the setting where students spend the majority of their day. 
  • The school setting is the most common place for children to receive mental health services. 
  • The majority of mental illnesses emerge in children, yet fewer than half of the children receive treatment. 
  • Schools foster students complete mental health by prioritizing practices that promote well-being among all students to reduce subsequent risk.
  • °®¶¹´«Ã½ from low-income families and racial/ethnic minority groups are more likely to use school-based services. 
  • Schools have the capacity to provide and monitor interventions/treatment in a natural environment.