Innovations in University-School Partnerships to Provide Mental Health Services

A considerable number of children and adolescents suffer from mental health difficulties, yet a much smaller percentage of these students receive mental health services. Given the amount of time that youth spend at school, being able to offer mental health services at school is a logical solution. In this paper we present an innovative idea for increasing mental health services in schools through partnering with behavioral health training programs, such as social work, counseling, and psychology. The mutually beneficial nature of these partnerships is described and a framework for deciding what services are needed is offered. The article ends with a detailed analysis of logistical challenges and decisions regarding identifying potential clients, supervision, curriculum, scheduling, funding, confidentiality and records, competence, and consent.