Counseling and Mental Health Services of the Coordinated School Health Model

The Texas Education Code (TEC) §38.351 (outside source) states that the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), in coordination with TEA and regional education service centers (ESCs), shall provide and annually update a list of recommended best practice-based programs for implementation in public elementary, junior high, middle, and high schools within the general education setting. DSHS, TEA, and each ESC is required to make the list easily accessible on their websites. For more information about the list of recommended programs and other resources, please visit the Mental Health and Behavioral Health web page.

Texas school districts provide services to improve students' mental, emotional, and social health. These services include individual and group assessments, interventions, and referrals. Organizational assessment and consultation skills of counselors and psychologists contribute to the health of students and the health of the school environment. Professionals such as certified school counselors, psychologists, and social workers provide these services. 

School Guidance and Counseling is implemented by Professional School Counselors to reduce dropout rates, improve academic performance, and increase participation in postsecondary education.

Mental Health Related Links

The following links provide information about mental health:

• Healthy Place (outside source)
• American Psychological Association (outside source) 
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (outside source)
• Safe Alternatives (outside source)
• Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (outside source)
• National Institute of Mental Health (outside source)
• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (outside source)
• The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools (outside source)
• School Mental Health (outside source)
• Center for Mental Health in Schools (outside source)
• Virtual Toolbox for Mental Health in Schools (outside source)
• Center for Disease Control (CDC) Mental Health Be Smart. Be Well (outside source)
• Texas Department of State Health Services Mental Health and Substance Abuse (outside source)
• SAMHSA Coping with Disasters and Traumatic Events (outside source)
• Crisis Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Resources (outside source)

Suicide Prevention Related Links

The following links provide information about suicide prevention:

• Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide (outside source)
• National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (outside source)
• Jason Foundation (outside source)
• Texas Department of State Health Services Suicide Prevention (outside source)
• Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide (outside source)
• Texas Suicide Prevention (outside source)
• American Association of Suicidology (outside source)
• Is Your Home Suicide Proof (outside source)
• Center for Disease Control (CDC) Suicide Prevention (outside source)

Suicide Prevention Resources

The following resources are about suicide prevention:

• Coming Together To Care: A Suicide Prevention and Postvention Toolkit for Texas Communities (outside source)
• SAMHSA 2017 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (outside source)
• SAMHSA Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools (outside source)
• Children’s Safety Network Suicide Prevention Resource Guide 2012 (outside source)