School-Based Mental Health Clinics
School-Based Mental Health Clinics (SBMHCs) provide on-site mental health services – including preventive and crisis interventions – to elementary, intermediate and high school students in over 300 schools throughout the five boroughs. Many SBMHCs provide additional services, including family therapy, case management, school consultations and parent workshops. They also refer students for psychiatric evaluations and assessments when needed. To receive mental health services through a SBHC, students must have a signed consent form by their parents/guardians.
The SBMHC provide children experiencing, or at risk of developing, social/emotional difficulties with the mental health services they need and enables teachers to focus on teaching rather than behavior management. In this regard, on-site school-based mental health programs act as significant supports in schools striving to improve educational outcomes and student achievement. It provides scheduled and walk-in services when school is in session and 24-hour telephone coverage to assist with out-of-school problems. Many SBMHCs are open during holiday periods and over the summer.
SBMHCs are operated by independent institutions, and the staff is not employed by the Department of Education. The New York State Office of Mental Health monitors the performance of SBMHCs to assure that they are providing high quality care.
SBMHCs service students without regard to insurance status. While they may bill an insurance company, such as Medicaid, for the care provided, SBMHCs do not bill students or parents for care. While SBMHCs work closely with the principal and other staff members, individual student records are confidential, and information is not shared with school staff without parent review and consent.
