Promoting School Mental Health With a Systems of Care Approach: Perspectives From Community Partners

Abstract

An estimated 20% of youth ages 5–18 have a diagnosable mental health problem. The challenge for communities is to overcome obstacles to traditional community-based care that contribute to low rates of treatment for children. The purpose of this small qualitative study was to identify challenges to the implementation of a Systems of Care (SOC) approach to school mental health within an urban community. Identifying processes that either hinder or effectively create and sustain a collaborative SOC partnership between systems is vital to social workers and mental health professionals working to address the mental health needs of underserved youth.

Keywords:

• Systems of Care
• schools
• mental health
• social workers

Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by funding from an Armfield-Reeves Award from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Findings, opinions, and recommendations expressed in this article are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Armfield-Reeves.