How Public Schools Support Mental Health
In recent years, the importance of mental health in the school environment has become a central concern for educators, parents and students alike. This article examines how public schools in the United States are supporting mental health in 2025, what policy advances and program changes have occurred, where gaps remain, and what parents and educators should look for when evaluating how their school is responding. We also link to resources and related coverage, including our own article platform at BoardingSchoolReview.com for schools with residential components.
1. The Context: Growing Needs, New Pressures
The mental health of children and adolescents has been under increasing strain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), during 2022-23 nearly 21 percent of children ages 3-17 had ever been diagnosed with a mental, emotional or behavioural health condition. More specifically, 11 percent of children 3-17 had diagnosed anxiety, 8 percent had behaviour disorders and 4 percent had depression.
In the K-12 education context, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, increased social media use, academic pressure and broader societal stressors have all heightened the urgency. One recent brief notes that in the 2024-25 school year about 18 percent of students used school-based mental health services and 58 percent of schools reported an increase in students seeking such services. In addition, one study published in July 2025 found that nearly one-third of public schools mandate mental-health screening for students, yet many report difficulty ensuring adequate follow-up care. RAND Corporation+1
For schools, this means that supporting student mental health is no longer a peripheral concern: it is central to student well-being and academic success.
2. What Services Are Public Schools Offering?
Data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) show that in the 2021-22 school year 49 percent of public schools offered diagnostic mental-health assessments and 38 percent offered treatment services on-site. More recent data (2023-24) indicate that 97 percent of public schools provided at least one type of mental-health service to students; among those schools the average share of students using those services was roughly 19 percent. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) and others, in 2024-25 the most common services in public schools include:
One-on-one counselling or therapy (83 percent of schools)
Case-management/coordination of mental-health services (70 percent)
Referrals to external providers (67 percent)
Group-based interventions (65 percent) and family-based interventions (43 percent) are also on the rise.
Use of telehealth has also increased (from about 17 percent to 22 percent of schools) for mental-health delivery.
These services reflect a shift toward more comprehensive school-based mental-health systems rather than isolated counselling programmes.
3. Key Strategies and Frameworks
Several best-practice frameworks and strategies have emerged to guide schools. One widely adopted model is the Tiered or Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for mental health:
Tier 1: Universal supports for all students (for example, social-emotional learning, school-wide well-being curricula)
Tier 2: Targeted supports for students showing early signs of distress or risk
Tier 3: Intensive, individualised interventions for students with significant needs
As an illustrative source explains: “The goal of this model is to offer the right level of care at the right time in the least restrictive environment.”
In addition, schools that foster strong connection, a positive school climate and social-emotional learning (SEL) tend to show improved mental-health outcomes and lower risk behaviours. Learning Policy Institute
Other key strategies include:
Screening and early identification: While only about one-third of schools currently mandate universal mental-health screening, this is emerging as a promising practice.
Staff training and capacity-building: In 2024-25, 61 percent of schools reported providing professional development to support staff in student emotional and mental-health matters.
Partnerships with community providers: Schools increasingly contract with or partner with external mental-health agencies, health centres or non-profits.
Data and metrics: More schools are tracking utilisation of services, staffing ratios and outcomes of interventions—key for evidence-based decision-making.
4. Policy Landscapes and Funding
Federal and state policies strongly influence how public schools support mental health. The 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act included provisions to expand mental-health resources in schools and community settings.
Nevertheless, funding is uneven and declining in some key areas. For example, federal grant use for school mental-health services dropped from 53 percent of schools in 2021-22 to 33 percent in 2024-25. In the NCES survey, 54 percent of schools indicated inadequate funding was a major limitation to providing effective services. The shortage of licensed mental-health professionals in schools remains a critical barrier: in 2023-24 the average student-to-psychologist ratio was about 1,065:1, far above the recommended 500:1.
At the state level, some jurisdictions are beginning to legislate more proactive policies. For example, in 2025 the state of Illinois became the first U.S. state to mandate annual mental-health screenings for students in grades 3-12.
For parents and educators, this means that reviewing a school’s policy framework—its staffing ratios, funding sources, community partnerships and style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">
5. Real-World Examples
District-level case study: A rural district in Montana implemented a comprehensive mental-health support initiative across its six towns. Despite limited resources and large geographic area, the district developed a “hub-and-spoke” model where students could access school-based counselling, telehealth services and community referrals. The programme emphasised universal SEL curricula, targeted small-group support and individual care for higher-need students. Kids Mental Health
School-based health centre: A middle school in Connecticut repurposed old facilities into a full-time school-based health centre offering free physical and mental-health services to over 1,800 students. This illustrates how school-community partnerships can expand access. Stamford Advocate
These examples highlight that effective mental-health support in public schools combines strategy, collaboration and committed resources.
6. Challenges and Risks to Address
Even with growing attention and innovation, major challenges persist:
Access and equity: Schools in rural or high-poverty areas are less likely to offer full diagnostic and treatment services. For example, in 2021-22 diagnostic services were provided by 41 percent of rural schools versus 55 percent of city schools.
Workforce shortages: Schools report insufficient numbers of mental-health professionals, which limits capacity and timely care.
Funding sustainability: The decline in federal grant funding and the end of pandemic-era funds mean long-term budget pressure for many districts.
Screening and follow-up: Even when students are screened, ensuring robust follow-up and coordination of care remains a challenge.
Staff well-being: Educators and staff are also experiencing increased mental-health pressure. In 2024-25, 36 percent of schools reported an increase in staff expressing concerns about emotional health.
Addressing these risks requires both ongoing investment and systemic attention.
7. What Parents, Students and Educators Should Look For
When evaluating how a public school supports mental health, consider the following criteria:
Staffing ratios: How many licensed mental-health professionals (counsellors, psychologists) are employed or contracted?
Service scope: Does the school provide diagnostic assessment, treatment, referrals and follow-up?
Universal supports: Are there school-wide SEL programmes, restorative-practice initiatives or mental-health literacy curricula?
Equity of access: Are services available to all students regardless of background, income or geography? Are there telehealth or community-partner options?
Data and transparency: Does the school track utilisation rates, outcomes, and report on staffing and funding?
Staff supports: Are there mental-health supports for teachers and staff, and professional development on student emotional-well-being?
Community and family involvement: Are families engaged in mental-health planning? Are there partnerships with external providers or local health organisations?
Funding and sustainability: Is the school clear about its mental-health funding sources and its plan for sustained delivery?
For parents considering a school, asking these questions can reveal the depth of the school’s commitment to mental health—not just as a compliance issue but as a strategic priority.
8. The Road Ahead: Emerging Trends & 2025 Outlook
Looking forward, several trends are likely to shape how public schools support mental health:
Expanded tele-mental-health access: With 22 percent of schools now offering telehealth services for mental health, this modality will likely expand further.
More universal screening: Given the findings on screening, more states may move toward mandatory or routine mental-health screening in schools.
Data-driven programmes: Schools are increasingly expected to measure outcomes (intervention efficacy, attendance, academic achievement) linked to mental-health supports.
Integration with physical health: The growth of school-based health centres (SBHCs) that combine physical and behavioural health services offers a holistic model.
Focus on staff well-being: Recognising that educator mental health is interconnected with student wellbeing, more programmes will address staff support.
Policy and funding innovation: As federal grants recede, districts may turn to Medicaid reimbursements, state funding pools and innovative community-school partnerships to ensure sustainable support.
9. Conclusion
For public schools, supporting mental health in 2025 is no longer optional—it is integral to student success, school climate and overall institutional effectiveness. While access to services has expanded and innovative practices are emerging, significant challenges remain in staffing, funding and equitable delivery. Parents, educators and policymakers must remain vigilant about the quality, accessibility and sustainability of mental-health supports.
As you explore options for your child or school environment, consider how deeply mental-health supports are embedded, how well the school is equipped to meet escalating needs, and whether there is a strategic plan in place for sustaining and improving services. For more on how schools can shape whole-child educational environments, see our coverage at BoardingSchoolReview.com, where we discuss residential and day school models that integrate wellbeing and academic excellence.
