Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the contribution of the ‘School-Link’ initiative to an Area Mental Health Service.
Method: Surveys and focus groups of school and health service personnel were conducted to examine the three foci of the School-Link initiative, namely prevention, early intervention and service access.
Results: Improvements witnessed since the commencement of School-Link include an increasein the number of evidence-based mental health promotion programmes in schools, improvements in the communication between health and education departments, improvements in referral patterns and better practices, such as improved feedback, in both health and education sectors. School counsellors feel more supported in their role by health services and better able to manage certain patients.
Conclusions: The actual and potential benefits of School-Link for young persons appear considerable. School-Link has provided opportunities for communication, upgrading of skills and collaborative work on mental health issues, in both education and health settings.