A Strategic and Shared Agenda to Advance Mental Health in Schools through Family and System Partnerships

The paper reviews data on the gap between young people who need and young people who receive mental health care. The fact that need far outstrips available resources underscores the importance of moving forward a shared agenda that builds a coalition of shared values and goals among families, schools, mental health agencies and other community programs and stakeholders. The importance of a coordinated public health approach, emphasizing broad systems enhancement, early intervention, and more intensive programs and services, is emphasized, and recommendations for strategic action at local, state and national levels are presented.