Recognizing the widespread and increasing mental health needs of our school communities, Governor Murphy called upon the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) to lead a statewide youth mental health working group to develop resources, including best practices for school and mental health provider connections to support student needs. The result of those efforts is this extensive Comprehensive School-Based Mental Health Resource Guide, which will provide schools with a roadmap to assist staff in developing, implementing, and evaluating mental health supports and services in our schools.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted that mental health and wellness are fundamental needs that transcend the boundaries of our school districts, townships, communities, schedules, and family structures. As we continue to move forward, it is vital to approach school mental health with a systemic set of evidence-based preventative practices, procedures, and interventions. This Guide advances that goal by outlining the application of the New Jersey Tiered System of Supports model to address the social-emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs of all students. By using a three-tiered approach, New Jersey educators can ensure equitable access to core prevention practices and appropriate interventions and supports. The Guide consists of 11 chapters starting with the basics of a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) and ending with suggestions on how to fund this comprehensive model.

This Guide is a continuation of NJDOE’s efforts to support physically and mentally safe learning environments. The Office of Student Support Services recently revised, reorganized, and updated a set of resources related to mental health that can be found on the NJDOE’s Student Wellness webpage. In the months to come, online modules will be produced to support the implementation of this Guide in addition to the technical assistance and monthly webinars provided by our collaborative partners, the Northeast and Caribbean Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC). Additionally, the NJDOE will continue to gather updated resources, feedback, and data around implementation to inform revisions and subsequent editions of this document.

SAMHSA has provided funding to the MHTTC to support training and consultation in the area of school mental health to teachers and school staff regarding mental health services for students. It is under this supplemental funding that we are able to offer training and consultation directly to schools and community organizations affiliated with the work of schools. We have the capacity and expertise to provide national webinars, general trainings, professional development meetings, and intensive technical assistance/consultation services on school mental health topics.

The objectives of these activities are to: communicate the importance of mental health supports in schools, enhance the capacity to recognize and identify mental health concerns in students, and educate staff on the best models of school-based mental health services and when to link to community-based services.

Examples of potential professional development and training topics include: Youth Mental Health First Aid, Trauma-Informed Care, Managing Traumatic Events in Schools, Trauma and Mental Health, Cultivating Resiliency, Suicide Prevention, Social-Emotional Learning, Crisis Interventions, School Refusal and Anxiety, Staff Self-Care, and Advanced Mental Health Skills for Selected Staff.

The cost for these services is covered by the SAMHSA grant and is, therefore, no cost to the school.

For our current offerings, please see our activities calendar.

The Northeast and Caribbean MHTTC is committed to providing resources and products to support mental health providers, especially during these unprecedented times. Below you will find a list of products, webinar recordings, and future webinars targeted at mental health providers. 

---