School-Based Mental Health (SBMH) services bring mental health support directly to students — right where they are: at school. These services are designed to help every child thrive, no matter their background, identity, or circumstances.
SBMH focus on the following:
- Prevention: Helping students build skills before challenges arise.
- Early Support: Catching concerns early and offering help.
- Timely Intervention: Responding quickly when students need more intensive support.
Services may include:
- Individual or group counseling
- Skill-building and coping strategies
- Behavioral and emotional support
- Crisis response and safety planning
- Referrals to community-based providers
SBMH professionals work closely with teachers, administrators, and families to create safe, supportive school environments where students feel understood, respected, and cared for.
Service Providers
- School Counselors
- School Psychologists
- School Social Workers
- School Based Mental Health Therapists
- Other Qualified Clinicians
SBMH providers are trained to deliver student centered care that respects the diverse identities, experiences, and needs of Kentucky’s students and families. Reference the Kentucky School-Based Mental Health Provider Overview for additional information.
Key Steps for Schools and Districts
Creating strong SBMH systems starts with thoughtful planning and community collaboration. Here’s how districts can build and sustain effective student-centered systems and mental health supports that improve both mental health and learning outcomes.
- Create a Districtwide Plan: Include strategies for prevention, early intervention, and trauma-informed care, as outlined in KRS 158.4416.
- Listen to Your Community: Ensure that surveys and needs assessments are inclusive and accessible to all families, including those from historically underserved communities, non-English speakers, and students with disabilities.
- Prioritize Equity: Identify and address gaps in access to mental health services across different student groups.
- Build Partnerships: Collaborate with local mental health agencies, FRYSCs, and community organizations to expand services and referrals.
- Use Evidence-Based Approaches: Align SBMH services with your district’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports so students receive help at the right level and time.
- Simplify the Process: Make referral and consent procedures easy to understand and consistent across schools, while protecting student privacy.
- Support Your Staff: Offer training on trauma-informed practices, classroom de-escalation, restorative practices, and early identification of mental health needs.
- Review and Improve: Include SBMH goals in your Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) and review progress regularly to strengthen supports year after year.
Reference the Resources to Support District Efforts for guidance, tools, state and national resources.
Request for Assistance and/or Training