School-Based Mental Health Services for Adolescents

ABSTRACT

Adolescents are in crisis in school, home, and in the community. With an increasing array of problems, from alcohol and drug addiction to teenage pregnancy, the nation's youth are facing difficult challenges. In particular, family problems experienced by adolescents alone can seem daunting, with such issues as divorce, abuse, and discord changing the very fabric of family structure, and significantly impacting adolescent development. At the same time, managed care and changes in health care delivery have restricted mental health services. Within this environment school psychologists are increasingly viewed as key resources. This article considers the problems faced by adolescents, examines the changing role of school-based mental health services, and identifies challenges faced by school psychologists.

Key Words:

• Schools
• mental health
• adolescents
• school psychology
• family