Mental Health Services in Oregon Schools
School-based mental health services are an essential component of our education system. Trauma, stress and conflict can interfere with almost every aspect of a child's learning. Access to these services not only improves students' physical and psychological safety, but also reduces costly negative outcomes such as:
- Disciplinary incidents
- Delinquency
- Dropping out
- Chronic absenteeism
- Substance use disorders
- Suicidal thoughts
- Risky behaviors
- Involvement with the criminal justice system
Who Offers School-Based Mental Health Services?
School-based health centers offer services on school grounds during school hours. For the highest-need areas that do not have a school-based health center, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) provides funding for around 70 schools to have a local mental health clinician to help youth, families and teachers.
View Oregon's map of school-based health centers
View Oregon's map of counties with local mental health clinicians
Local agencies also employ mental health clinicians who partner with schools and school districts.
Read OHA's 2022 scan of how local agencies support Oregon schools.
How School-Based Mental Health Services Work