Mental health and social services in schools: Variations by school characteristics-United States, 2014

Schools serve as a mental health service provider for students with related disorders. This study reported on specific mental health and social services practices overall and by school demographics in U.S. schools using data from the 2014 School Health Policies and Practices Study, a cross-sectional study of a nationally representative sample of schools with any of grades kindergarten through twelve, and an extant source of school demographics. Differences in mental health and social services staffing, facilities/equipment, and services were observed across school demographics. These data will help identify service gaps, which can guide efforts to better serve students and families.