As a parent, you can expect different levels of mental health support and services from both private and public schools, but the availability and specifics of these services can vary depending on the type of school. Below, is a breakdown of what you can typically expect from each setting, including the process for obtaining services like accommodations or interventions to address mental health and learning challenges.
Public Schools
Mental Health Support in Public Schools
Public schools generally provide a range of mental health services, often through specialized staff such as:
- School Counselors: These professionals often provide short-term counseling, crisis intervention, emotional support, and guidance on social and academic issues.
- School Psychologists: They conduct psychoeducational evaluations (testing to assess cognitive, emotional, and social functioning), provide counseling, and help in developing intervention strategies.
- Social Workers: They assist with broader emotional, social, and family-related challenges, connecting families with community resources.
- Behavioral Specialists: In some schools, there are staff members trained to address behavioral or emotional issues and work on behavior modification strategies.
Public schools must comply with federal laws like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act to provide support to students with learning or mental health difficulties. These services are free of charge to families.
Process for Receiving Support in Public Schools
- Identifying Needs: If a child is struggling with mental health or academic issues, the first step is to contact the school. Teachers, counselors, and school psychologists often play a role in identifying students who need support. Parents can also initiate the process by reaching out directly to the school.
- Referral for Evaluation: If there are concerns about learning disabilities or mental health issues (such as anxiety, depression, or ADHD), the school may initiate a psychoeducational evaluation. This is a comprehensive assessment that may include:
- Standardized tests for cognitive ability, achievement, and emotional functioning
- Interviews and observations
- Parent and teacher input
- Social-emotional assessments
- Developing an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan:
- IEP (Individualized Education Plan): If the evaluation reveals that your child has a disability that impacts their ability to learn (e.g., learning disabilities, emotional disturbances, autism, etc.), they may qualify for an IEP. This plan outlines specialized education services, accommodations, and goals tailored to the child’s needs. It is legally binding and reviewed regularly.
- 504 Plan: If your child has a disability that doesn’t require specialized instruction but still needs accommodations (for example, extended time on tests, breaks for emotional regulation), they may qualify for a 504 Plan. These plans provide modifications or accommodations to help the child access the general education curriculum.
- Support and Interventions: Once the appropriate plan (IEP or 504 Plan) is in place, the school will provide the required services. This may include regular counseling, behavioral support, adjustments in the classroom environment, and specialized instruction.
- Review and Monitoring: IEPs and 504 plans are reviewed annually, and progress is monitored regularly. Parents should stay in close communication with the school to ensure the support is effective.
Mental Health Crisis Support
Many public schools also have plans in place for students in mental health crises. This might include emergency counseling, referrals to outside mental health professionals, and coordination with crisis intervention teams, particularly in the case of suicidal ideation or self-harm.
Private Schools
Private schools vary widely in the mental health services they offer, as these are often not mandated by law. However, many private schools are becoming increasingly aware of the need to support the mental health of students.
Types of Services
Some private schools may have:
- School Counselors: They may provide counseling or emotional support but may have limited capacity to offer long-term therapy or specialized interventions.
- External Providers: Some private schools partner with external mental health professionals or community clinics to offer counseling services or refer students for more specialized care.
- Academic Support: Depending on the school, there may be tutors, educational therapists, or a learning support office that helps with academic interventions, such as for learning disabilities or ADHD.
Process for Receiving Support The pathway for receiving support at a private school typically depends on the school’s policies. The process usually starts with discussing your child’s needs with the school. This can begin with your child’s teacher, and may include the school administration, counselor, or learning specialist. Unlike public schools, private schools are not bound by IDEA or Section 504 and may not be required to provide special education services or accommodations. However, many schools do provide informal support or work with students on a case-by-case basis.
If your child has a mental health diagnosis or learning disability, the school may be open to working with you to create a support plan, but the specifics will depend on the school’s resources and approach. In some cases, a private school may provide accommodations informally, but for more formal plans like an IEP or 504 Plan, the school may refer you to external services.
Psychoeducational Evaluations
Whether in public or private schools, if you have concerns about your child’s learning or mental health, a psychoeducational evaluation can be an important step. These evaluations are usually conducted by a school psychologist (in public schools) or an outside evaluator (for both public and private school students).
Key Points:
- Public Schools: Schools are required to provide evaluations for free if the student is suspected of having a disability. This process may take some time, and you may need to request it in writing.
- Private Schools: Private schools may refer you to outside providers for evaluations, and these may come at a cost. However, some private schools may still conduct limited evaluations in-house, depending on their resources.
Advocating for Your Child
If you’re a parent advocating for your child’s mental health or learning needs:
- Start early: Address concerns as soon as you notice challenges. The earlier you intervene, the better the chances for success.
- Document everything: Keep a record of meetings, emails, and discussions with school staff. This will help if you need to refer back to what was said or agreed upon.
- Know your rights: Understand the laws that govern your child’s education and mental health support, especially in the case of IEPs and 504 plans. You are entitled to free, appropriate services under IDEA and Section 504 if your child qualifies.
Key Takeaways
Public Schools: Offer comprehensive services through IEPs and 504 Plans, including counseling, academic accommodations, and specialized instruction for students with learning and mental health needs. Evaluations for disabilities are provided for free.
Private Schools: Offer more limited support, and the process for accommodations or interventions may vary by school. Parents often have to seek external evaluations or services, which may come at a cost.
Psychoeducational Evaluations: In both settings, these evaluations are helpful for understanding the underlying issues impacting your child’s learning or mental health and often required for determining and providing appropriate support.
