Inside USBE > Departments and Programs > Safe and Healthy Schools > Attending to School-based Mental Health
School-based Mental Health (SBMH) encompasses promoting wellness, social, emotional, and behavioral health, and coping skills necessary for meeting life's challenges. The mission and purpose of schools is learning and having comprehensive school-based mental health services contributes to those outcomes. Students whose mental wellness is supported have better outcomes in school and in life. SBMH services support a positive school climate and are available to all students in a multi-tiered system of support. SBMH Service Providers collaborate in multi-disciplinary teams and serve as resources to school staff and families.
Utah’s School Behavioral Health Toolkit Collaborating to Address Mental and Emotional Wellness for School Aged Children
Note: For all the features to work in this document, it is best to download it first.
School-based Mental Health Roles and Responsibilities in the Education Setting (Coming Soon)
Utah School Counseling Programs
USBE Prevention and At-Risk Programs
School-based Mental Health Requirements (Coming soon)
Utah State Board of Education (USBE) School-based Mental Health Contact Sheet
Frequently Asked Questions (Coming soon)
Elementary School Counselor Grant Program
USBE Prevention and At-Risk Programs
Grow Your Own Teacher and School Counselor Pipeline Program Grant
USBE Prevention and At-Risk Programs
School-based Mental Health Qualified Grant Program (SBMHQGP)
School-based Mental Health Screening Grant (SBMHSG)
Back to School Toolkit
Mental Health America (MHA)
Location Map
Utah Department of Human Services
Supporting Student Mental Health: Resources to Prepare Educators
Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network
Utah Code 53F-2-522 sets standards for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to implement approved mental health screening programs for students. The legislature has appropriated an ongoing amount of $500,000 for the program. To learn more about the grant funding available, visit the School-based Mental Health Screening Grant website.
H.B. 403 (2023) Student Mental Health Amendments requires an LEA governing board to submit a record of determination to the State Board whether the LEA will be a participating LEA or a non-participating LEA for the 2023-2024 school year by July 1, 2023, and each year after. A primary contact must be designated for those participating in the program.
"Participating LEA" means an LEA that has an approved screening program described in statute and rule.
"Non-participating LEA" means an LEA that does not administer an approved mental health screening program described in statute and rule.
Each participating LEA must submit an Implementation Plan via a Qualtrics survey to report the mental health conditions that will be screened and the approved tools that will be used. Requests to have a condition or tool reviewed by the Board can also be submitted in the Implementation Plan. Implementation Plans must be submitted by July 14, 2023 for the 2023-2024 school year.
All participating LEAs shall require relevant staff, who will be administering a mental health screener, to attend an annual mental health screener training before screening efforts begin each school year. This training will be available via USBE Canvas on June 1, 2023 for participating LEAs for the 2023-2024 school year.
All participating LEAs are required to complete an end of year report to demonstrate the results of their mental health screening program. Reporting is required of All Participating LEAs regardless of their status with the School-based Mental Health Screening Grant.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) School-based Mental Health Screening Program and Grant
Google Docs
Schedule an appointment for a 15-minute consultation with an SBMH Screening team member.
USBE SBMH Screening Office Hours
Microsoft Bookings, Outlook 365
School-based Mental Health Screening Guidebook: Implementation Plan
Approved Mental Health Screening Tool List
Approved Mental Health Conditions for School-based Mental Health Screening Program R277-625
Michelle Knight
Utah State Board of Education
Phone: (610) 844-7771 | E-mail
Tiana McCall
Utah State Board of Education
Phone: (801) 538-7647
Cell: (801) 910-2307 | E-mail
Scott Eyre
Utah Office of Substance Use and Mental Health (OSUMH)
Phone: (801) 450-2667 | E-mail
Ellen McLaughlin
Support Staff
Phone: (801) 538-7863 | E-mail
Utah's Project AWARE aims to build a comprehensive approach model to school-based mental health to increase mental health literacy and support services to schools and communities. The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) collaborates with behavioral health stakeholders across the state to improve mental health awareness and response. The four major goals in this project are:
Interventions and services aligning to these goals are to implement evidence-based programs to improve school climate, link existing resources based on a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) behavioral health framework to support all students, and targeted services and support for American Indian/Alaskan Native students.
Applications for Utah’s Project AWARE closed in 2018. Of the applicants, three Local Education Agencies (LEAs), Alpine, Cache, and Jordan School Districts, were chosen for the 5-year grant, ending in September of 2023. If you are interested in more information regarding the AWARE grant, please visit:
For information regarding school-based mental health screening, please visit the School-based Mental Health Screening Program (SBMHSP).
Trauma-informed practices recognize that trauma affects students, families, communities, and schools. Many children experience trauma amidst ongoing exposure throughout their early development, such as abuse, neglect, homelessness, or violence. Although not all exposure to trauma leads to difficulty in functioning, research tells us that exposure to trauma and toxic stress can lead to difficulties with learning and behavior.
Schools are uniquely positioned to prevent and mitigate the impacts of trauma exposure on students. Promoting trauma-informed school practices has the greatest potential to positively impact positive student outcomes, regardless of trauma history. By becoming a trauma-sensitive school, schools can promote protective factors for students’ and increase their social, emotional, and academic skills, while safeguarding the well-being of school personnel who strive to meet the unique needs of all learners.
Visit the Trauma Sensitive Schools Professional Development page for details regarding online coursework via Canvas modules.
Student Services Training Request Portal (TRP)
Qualtrics
Submit requests for this training through the Student Services TRP Portal. Live training will be provided by a Utah State Board of Education (USBE) staff member.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Overview
Utah State Board of Education Prevention and Student Services