McKinsey & Company addresses how the Mental Health of young people could be improved through school-based services
According to a recent McKinsey & Company article, mental health among youth has reached unprecedented levels: in 2023, four in ten high school students reported experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and two in ten seriously considered suicide. Yet, only about half of young people with mental health conditions receive the treatment or counseling they need -leaving a critical gap in care.
Enabling effective school-based Mental Health services in six steps
McKinsey outlines six actionable strategies for states implementing school-based mental health services. The cornerstone of their approach involves:
1. Offer comprehensive school-based services
Schools already play a pivotal role in youth mental health – with about half of children aged 12 to 17 receiving some services in educational settings. A fully comprehensive model, however, includes:
- Wellness promotion like social-emotional learning
- Preventive measures, such as screening for depression or harmful substance use
- Digital literacy and safe social media usage education
- Early intervention strategies, for issues like anxiety, bullying, or trauma
- Continuum of care, from low-intensity supports delivered in-school to referrals for higher-acuity services
- Family and caregiver support, recognizing that student well-being depends on holistic systems
2. Cultivate strong community partnerships
Effective school-based mental health depends on collaboration beyond school walls. McKinsey emphasizes the value of partnerships with:
- Community organisations, youth advocacy groups, and researchers
- Faith-based or recreational programmes, offering mentorship and safe spaces
- Health and social service providers, helping with housing, transport, or caregiver support
- Telehealth providers, bridging access gaps where in-person care is limited
These alliances help create comprehensive “wraparound” systems that boost resilience and accessibility.
3. Build a robust, diverse, and well-trained Mental Health workforce
Addressing clinician shortages doesn’t always mean hiring more licensed therapists. McKinsey points to creative solutions such as:
- Tapping into peer support specialists, health coaches, and school-based coordinators, who can address mild to moderate needs and amplify reach
- Upskilling existing staff—teachers, coaches, admin—with training to identify and triage student needs
- Embracing telehealth, enabling schools to connect students with remote mental health professionals, expanding coverage and reducing wait times
- Reforming licensure rules, improving diversity, and offering better compensation to attract talent into school-based roles
4. Establish clear governance and accountability structures
McKinsey highlights the havoc created by siloed systems. An effective structure involves:
- A centralized governing body, backed with funding, which coordinates across agencies (health, education, social services, justice)
- Youth- and family-centered decision-making, ensuring input from young people and caregivers living the experience
- An equity-driven approach, measuring impacts across demographics and ensuring representation in design and governance
Structures like Children’s Cabinets – established in several states – can model this integrative, cross-sector leadership
5. Implement integrated data systems
Data is a powerful tool for improving equity and outcomes. McKinsey underscores the importance of:
- Mapping mental health needs (e.g., rates of anxiety, suicidality) across demographic groups to identify underserved students
- Tracking resources – like availability of trauma-informed clinicians or culturally sensitive services—to highlight gaps
- Leveraging data analytics, even machine learning (as seen in crisis-hotline triage models), to prioritize care for the most at-risk students
- Enabling transparent, privacy-compliant reporting to guide continuous improvement and inform funding decisions
6. Secure Sustainable Funding
Finally, no system can survive without reliable investment. McKinsey suggests funding must:
- Sustain comprehensive services beyond one-off federal relief (e.g. ESSER) which is now ending
- Support training, staffing, telehealth infrastructure, and data systems
- Incentivize local districts to maintain mental health initiatives long-term, avoiding boom-and-bust cycles
States like California are already investing in these areas through major initiatives like the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, which funds a variety of school-based support roles and trauma-informed training
Why schools matter in the rising need for mental health support
McKinsey’s data affirm that schools are uniquely positioned to serve as frontlines for mental health intervention. Students already spend significant time there, making schools a logical venue for early identification and care. Nevertheless, many schools remain under-resourced and understaffed, lacking sufficient access to licensed professionals and necessary funding
Broader context through global research insights
Supporting this McKinsey-based framework, additional research highlights the value of multi-tiered, school-integrated mental health systems (MTSS). These systems embed prevention, early intervention, and promotion of social-emotional learning directly in school routines, enhancing academic and mental health outcomes alike PMCNational Academies Press.
Further, anti-stigma strategies and inclusive engagement are essential to ensure effectiveness. Studies reveal that when students perceive potential stigma—like being labeled or identified by peers—they may resist accessing services. However, for many, school-based care offers convenience, familiarity, and reduced barriers compared to external options BioMed CentralKFF.
Critically, the UN and UNICEF emphasize that mental health is a universal human right. They advocate for a rights-informed, integrated approach that connects health, social services, education, and family engagement – all while elevating youth and caregiver voices in the system design
Meeting the needs of a rapidly growing sector
McKinsey & Company offer a clear, actionable blueprint for states aiming to embed robust, school-based mental health supports. Its emphasis on governance, youth engagement, and collaboration aligns well with global evidence advocating for multi-tiered systems and inclusive design.
To truly meet today’s urgent mental health needs, schools must be empowered and resourced to play their vital role – backed by structured frameworks, inclusive governance, and considered staffing.
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