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.
Tiana McCall
School Social Worker/SBMH Specialist
Phone: (801) 538-7647 | E-mail
Shaleece Oldroyd
Executive Secretary
Phone: (801) 538-7640 | E-mail
Utah's School Behavioral Health Toolkit: Partnering to Address Mental and Emotional Wellness for School-aged Children (Coming soon)
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
The SBMH Screening Program for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) was created in accordance with the following regulations:
During the 2020 Legislative Session, H.B. 323 was sponsored by Representative Steve Eliason and Senator Ann Millner. This bill sets standards for participating LEAs to implement approved School-based Mental Health Screening Programs for students. A Notification of Intent is required for all LEAs who are conducting mental health screenings in any form.
Frequently Asked Questions School-based Mental Health Screening Program Concerning H.B.323 (2020)
Google Docs
Notification of Intent to Utilize Mental Health Screeners
Qualtrics
Mental Health Screening Tool List
School Mental Health Screening Programs Infographic (coming soon)
Mental health screener or screener means systematic tool or process;
October 26, 2021
School-based Mental Health Screening Program Training Questionnaire - October 26, 2021
Google Forms
School-based Mental Health Screening Program Annual Training - 10/26/2021
YouTube
Mental Health Screening Program House Bill (H.B.) 323 (2020) and 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 | E-mail
Scott Eyre
Utah Office of Substance Use and Mental Health (OSUMH)
Phone: (801) 450-2667 | E-mail
Tina Morandy
Executive Secretary
Phone: (801) 538-7526 | 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).
Michelle Knight
Project AWARE Grant Manager
Phone: (610) 844-7771 | E-mail
Shaleece Oldroyd
Executive Secretary
Phone: (801) 538-7640 | E-mail
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.
Tiana McCall
School Social Worker/School-based Mental Health Specialist
Phone: (801) 538-7647 | E-mail
Shaleece Oldroyd
Executive Secretary
Phone: (801) 538-7640 | E-mail
SEL means the process through which students acquire and effectively:
SEL is not a specific curriculum, but an ongoing process and initiative that schools may implement in order to create the culture and climate needed for students to feel safe, connected, and be successful in their academic pursuits.
Successful SEL initiatives increase student protective factors, help build essential skills that students need to be successful now and in the future, help students think critically, and enable students to work collaboratively with others.
Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)
Tanya Albornoz
Prevention and At-Risk Programs Coordinator
Phone: (801) 538-7812 | E-mail
Tandalaya Stitt
Administrative Secretary
Phone: (801) 538-7631 | E-mail