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School-Based Suicide Prevention Plans: What Works

The death of a young person by any means is tragic, but a death by suicide has far-reaching effects on surviving family members and on both the school and the larger community. Schools are uniquely positioned to address the crisis of youth suicide and are vital for effective suicide prevention in schools because students spend the bulk of their days in school. As such, schools are critical spaces for early identification, intervention, and prevention.

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June 27, 2024

Step 4 – Building Mental Health Awareness in Schools

As the youth mental health crisis rages on, educators and policymakers must take quick and definitive steps to raise awareness of mental health issues in our schools, our homes, and our communities.
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June 20, 2023

Step 3: Data-Driven Systems for Mental Health Programs in Schools

Mental health in schools is a domain where the capture of progress monitoring data has traditionally lagged, with qualitative descriptions of student progress being more common than quantitative measures.

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September 29, 2025

School-Based Suicide Prevention Plans: What Works

The death of a young person by any means is tragic, but a death by suicide has far-reaching effects on surviving family members and on both the school and the larger community. Schools are uniquely positioned to address the crisis of youth suicide and are vital for effective suicide prevention in schools because students spend the bulk of their days in school. As such, schools are critical spaces for early identification, intervention, and prevention.
Read more
teen anxiety

September 25, 2025

How to Identify Suicide Risk in Students: Signs, Prevention, and School-Based Support

Suicides and attempted suicides affect the entire family as well as school and larger communities. Educational institutions, therefore, are uniquely positioned to act as the front line of prevention. By implementing suicide prevention programs, training staff, and reducing stigma, schools can help protect vulnerable students.
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panic disorders

September 19, 2025

Understanding and Addressing Anxiety in Teens During School Transitions

The start of a new school year brings a blend of excitement and stress, especially for students who are prone to anxiety. Parents, educators, and school leaders all play vital roles in helping to smooth this transition, and all can contribute to a student’s sense of safety and confidence in the classroom environment. Addressing anxiety in teens requires a multifaceted approach.
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September 5, 2025

A Back-to-School Mental Health Checklist for Student Success and Well-being

The connection between learning and student well-being has never been clearer. As the new school year begins, school leaders are increasingly aware that academic success is tied directly to the state of a student’s mental health. Utilizing a comprehensive mental health checklist is one of the most effective ways to monitor and support both students and staff members, fostering a positive school environment.
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pbis strategies

July 17, 2025

PBIS Strategies: Evidence-Based Approaches for K-12 Schools

The need for teachers to manage disruptive behaviors in the classroom is certainly nothing new. Since the pandemic, however, educators have been reporting significant increases in aggressive, disrespectful, and inappropriate behavior and a decline in students’ social-emotional development. Furthermore, unwanted behaviors are no longer limited to small segments of students or specific schools but rather are being widely reported by districts across the country.
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examples of mental health programs in schools

July 3, 2025

4 Best Examples of Successful School Mental Health Programs

School-based mental health services had become increasingly popular in the decades prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the explosion of distress levels coupled with the influx of pandemic-related funding opportunities led to an even greater presence of mental health services in school settings. As schools and society at large continue to adapt to a new normal, it may be a good time to step back and reassess the scope and effectiveness of school-based programs.
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Watch leaders in the field discuss the growing youth mental health crisis, plus hear optimistic stories of hope and healing from school districts nationwide.

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MINDBEAT by Effective School Solutions is the definitive go-to podcast for all topics related to school-based mental health.

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Learn more about Funding Sustainable School-Based Mental Health Programs

Complete this form to schedule a free mental health planning session where we will discuss available financial sources you can leverage to fund school-based mental health programs in your district.

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Our Unwavering Focus on Data Collection

At ESS, we have an unrelenting focus on data, measuring results, and communicating to our partners the proven impact our programming has on mental health, school outcomes and financial sustainability.

With every ESS partner, we will:

• Set data driven goals at the beginning of every implementation

• Have regular “Report Card” meetings in which we share the impact of ESS services

• Monitor data along the way to look for potential risk areas so that these can be proactively addressed

Learn more about our Will to Wellness 6 Step Framework

Complete this form to discuss best practices for districts, states, and federal policymakers that will reinvent mental health in schools over the next five years.

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Speak with our experts to learn how your district can improve outcomes and reduce costs

Complete this form to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your needs and challenges and to provide insights on where you may be able to improve mental health support.

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Let's Discuss the Mental Health Needs of Your Students

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