School-Based Health Programs
Behavioral health care is one of the greatest health needs in our community. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that one in five kids will experience a mental health problem during their school years. Children with unmet mental or physical health needs have a difficult time engaging in school. They sometimes struggle with coping, social skills, or handling their emotions, which can affect learning or just getting through the school day.
In 2021, St. Louis Children’s Hospital launched one of the largest community health strategies we have ever undertaken—and one of the largest ever to improve children’s behavioral health in the St. Louis region. This strategy of School-Based Health Programs is now making a difference for thousands of children and teens each school year.
Our Approach
Thanks to generous donor support, we have placed virtual and embedded teams of mental health specialists in 26 schools across St. Louis. Together, administrators, school counselors, social workers, and nurses work to ensure our community’s most at-risk children gain access to necessary mental health services—all from the comfort and security of their own schools.
To eliminate common barriers to behavioral health care, St. Louis Children’s Hospital is connecting students with mental health professionals through in-person and virtual services. Therapy sessions address anger management, grief, social skills, and more. School staff are trained in suicide prevention and trauma-informed care, while at-risk students are connected with psychiatry services and other mental health resources in the community.
Who we serve
Schools and districts served
- City Garden Montessori
- Hazelwood
- Jennings
- Lutheran North
- Ritenour
- Riverview Gardens
- St. Louis Immersion Schools
- The Leadership School
- University City
Confluence Charter Schools Served
- Aspire Academy
- Grand Center Arts Academy
- Old North Academy
- South City Academy
The path forward
Donor support puts expert behavioral health services directly in front of students in our community. With your help, St. Louis Children’s Hospital can extend embedded and virtual mental health services to even more schools throughout the St. Louis region.
| Behavioral Health in Schools | |
|---|---|
| School-Based Behavioral Health Annual Cost | $2.7 million |
| School-Based Behavioral Health Endowment | $50 million |
| Total | $52.7 million |