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National Center for School Mental Health (NCSMH)
National Center for School Mental Health (NCSMH)ResourcesFoundations of School Mental Health

Foundations of School Mental Health

Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems (CSMHS) provide a full array of tiered supports and services that promote a positive school climate, social and emotional learning, and mental health and well-being, while reducing the prevalence and severity of mental illness and substance use. CSMHSs are built on a strong foundation of district and school professionals, including administrators and educators, specialized instructional support personnel (e.g., school psychologists, school social workers, school counselors, school nurses, and other school health professionals), in strategic collaboration with students, families, and community health and mental health partners. These systems also assess and address the social, political, and environmental structures, include public policies and social norms, that influence mental health outcomes. For more information, view:

These resources have been developed through partnerships with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Adolescent and School Health (CDC-DASH) and Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International.

Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being in Schools: An Action Guide for School and District Leaders. This action guide is based on research about school-based comprehensive mental health promotion programming and intervention services that contribute to improved student mental health.

  • CDC Mental Health Action Guide PowerPoint Template. This slide deck can be used to communicate about about best practice strategies to support mental health and well-being in schools and can be used to orient teams to evidence-based strategies and approaches. The slides can be adapted to share the specific of what is in place in your school or district.
  • Mental Health Action Guide: How to Get Started. This resource provides practical tools to help determine which of the mental health and well-being strategies and approaches are most relevant and how to implement them in your school or district.

These resources have been developed through partnerships with the Bainum Family Foundation:

Social Influencers of Health and Education Series, created in collaboration with the Center for Health and Health Care in Schools and the School-Based Health Alliance.