Mental health in schools is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.
In the inaugural episode of our Foundations of School-Based Mental Health series, I was joined by two passionate and experienced leaders in school mental health: Martha Hollins and Mary Beth Simpson, Clinical Managers at Stepping Stones Group. We explored the why, what, and how of integrating mental wellness into educational systems to support student growth and success.
Why Mental Health Belongs in Schools
Martha Hollins emphasized one simple but powerful reason: accessibility. Clinicians embedded in schools meet students where they are—physically and emotionally. Unlike community-based services that face barriers like missed appointments and transportation issues, in-school support ensures consistency, collaboration, and real-time response to needs. School-based mental health programs foster stronger ties between clinicians, teachers, and school administrators, resulting in earlier intervention and better outcomes.
Internal Barriers to Learning
Mary Beth Simpson highlighted an often-overlooked truth: internal barriers such as anxiety, depression, and trauma significantly impair attention, memory, and processing speed. These mental health challenges aren't always visible but directly affect engagement and academic achievement.
She explained the difference between “little T” and “big T” traumas—where a move to a new city might be a small trauma to one student but a major trauma to another. Understanding this spectrum allows educators and clinicians to respond with compassion and individualized support.
Recognizing the Signs
From classroom defiance to recurring nurse visits, the symptoms of mental health challenges can be both internal and external. Martha explained that behaviors like refusal to do work or trouble sitting still are sometimes misinterpreted as discipline problems when they may stem from underlying anxiety. That’s why collaboration is vital.
School counselors, administrators, and teachers all play pivotal roles in identifying students who may benefit from services. As Martha pointed out, frequent visits to the school nurse might signal psychosomatic symptoms—physical responses to emotional distress.
The Role of Teachers and the Need for Awareness
Teachers are often the first to notice subtle changes in behavior. Mary Beth emphasized the importance of mental health first aid training for teachers to help them recognize early signs of distress. While teachers aren’t therapists, they can act as first responders by creating emotionally safe environments, offering simple gestures of support, and initiating referrals to counselors.
Breaking Down Barriers to Access
Cultural stigma around the word “therapy” remains one of the biggest obstacles. Martha noted that buy-in from parents and staff is essential for successful implementation. Reframing the conversation—from “mental health problems” to “skill-building and emotional support”—can make services more acceptable to hesitant stakeholders. As Tiffanie noted, even substituting "behavioral health" for "mental health" can shift perceptions and open doors.
Academic and Behavioral Benefits
Mary Beth drew from research that clearly shows students receiving school-based mental health services perform better academically, with higher grades and test scores, improved attendance, and fewer behavioral incidents. These programs lead to decreased aggression, truancy, and suspensions—results that matter not just to students, but to the schools striving for whole-child success.
A Real-World Transformation
Martha shared a compelling example of a student mislabeled as defiant, who was later found to be suffering from anxiety. With counseling and support, the child’s outward behaviors diminished, and their classroom participation improved dramatically. This illustrates the powerful difference a properly implemented mental health program can make.
Final Thoughts
Both Martha and Mary Beth left us with the same sentiment: when students feel better, they do better. School-based mental health programs don’t just change behavior—they change lives.
If you enjoyed this discussion, follow us on Spotify for the next episode in our foundation series. Take a step toward mental wellness today—you, and the students you serve, deserve it.
By Tiffanie Ives Coleman
Host, Stepping Stones for Mental Wellness Podcast