For many children, schools are the main or only providers of mental health services. In this visionary and comprehensive book, two nationally known experts describe a new approach to school-based mental health-one that better serves students, maximizes resources, and promotes academic performance. The authors describe how educators can effectively coordinate internal and external resources to support a healthy school environment and help at-risk students overcome barriers to learning. School leaders, psychologists, counselors, and policy makers will find essential guidance, including: * An overview of the history and current state of school mental health programs, discussing major issues confronting the field * Strategies for effective school-based initiatives, including addressing behavior issues, introducing classroom-based activities, and coordinating with community resources * A call to action for higher-quality mental health programming across public schools-including how collaboration, research, and advocacy can make a difference Gain the knowledge you need to develop or improve your school’s mental health program to better serve both the academic and mental health needs of your students!