School Mental Health Program (SMHP)
Equip Every Adult in the Building to Recognize and Respond to Mental Health Needs
REACH School Mental Health training gives teachers, counselors, psychologists, administrators, and other school support staff the scientifically proven tools to identify struggling students early and intervene before a challenge becomes a crisis.
INQUIRE NOWWHO IT’S FOR
Designed for the School Staff Who See Children Every Day
SMHP is built for teachers, school psychologists, counselors, and administrators — the adults who are often the first to notice when a child is struggling. SMHP is organized through school systems and districts committed to equipping their staff with practical, evidence-based mental health skills for the classroom and beyond.
Schools are often where mental health challenges first become visible — and school staff are frequently the first adults in a position to act.
This training gives educators and school staff the evidence-based tools to identify students at risk, manage behavioral challenges, and support the mental health needs of the children in their care.
Training is customized for the unique needs of a school and covers any combination of three core areas:
1 Classroom management
Practical strategies to reduce behavioral problems and improve learning environments.
2Early Identification
Proven methods for spotting children at risk for behavioral and emotional difficulties before problems escalate.
3 Effective intervention
Cognitive behavioral strategies for use by school support staff with students presenting with anxiety, depression, disruptive behaviors, and trauma.
Schedule a Group Training
REACH offers customized training for groups of 15 or more.
Visit our Group Training page to learn more.
Schools Trained. Students Better Supported.
Hear from the educators, counselors, and school leaders who have brought REACH School Mental Health training to their buildings and seen the difference it makes for students.
“Some of the most valuable things in this course are the interventions provided and the discussions on how to implement each intervention. The REACH trainers also take the time to get to know the professions of participants and the information is presented in an interactive way.”
— Behavior Specialist
Brunswick County Schools, NC
“I really appreciated that the presenters have had experience working in the school setting. It was really helpful to hear the presenters’ real life examples of students that they’ve worked with, and makes me feel more confident in the ability to use these strategies in my own work in schools.”
– School Social Worker
Pender County Schools, NC
“The guidance and education I have obtained on mental health issues during this course has truly empowered me. The Mental Health Toolkit will be a valuable resource and awesome to review it with the knowledgeable staff and other school nurses.”
– School Nurse
Virginia
School Mental Health Training Questions Answered
Everything school staff, administrators, and district leaders need to know about REACH’s School Mental Health Program.
The REACH School Mental Health Program (SMHP) is a science-backed training designed to equip school staff — teachers, counselors, psychologists, and administrators — with the tools to identify at-risk students early, manage behavioral challenges effectively, and connect students to evidence-based support. It is delivered to groups of 15 or more and can be organized by school systems and districts.
SMHP is built for any school staff member who works with children — including classroom teachers, school psychologists, counselors, and building administrators. The program is layered: some content applies to all school staff, while deeper clinical content is tailored for psychologists and counselors working directly with students.
SMHP covers three core areas: classroom management strategies that reduce behavioral problems and improve learning environments; proven tools for identifying children at risk for behavioral and emotional problems; and evidence-based therapy programs for school psychologists and counselors supporting students with anxiety, depression, disruptive behaviors, and trauma.
The Action Signs Toolkit is a unique REACH resource that helps teachers and school staff recognize warning signs in students who may be at risk for mental health challenges. It is practical, easy to use, and designed specifically for non-clinical school staff. The toolkit is available as a free download, with a license to use it in your school.
SMHP is delivered as a customized group training for schools and districts with 10 or more participants. REACH works with your institution to schedule and deliver the program in a format that fits your staff and calendar. Contact our Group Training team to discuss delivery options — including on-site and virtual formats.
SMHP is grounded in the same rigorous, evidence-based science that underlies REACH’s clinical training for healthcare clinicians — adapted specifically for the school environment. It equips both non-clinical staff and licensed mental health professionals in the same building, creating a shared language and a more coordinated, effective response to student mental health needs.
SMHP participants receive mental health screening tools designed for school settings, the Action Signs Toolkit, and supporting materials for both classroom application and clinical use. School psychologists and counselors also receive evidence-based therapy frameworks for use with students directly.
Visit REACH’s Group Training page to learn more about scheduling an SMHP for your school or district. SMHP is available for groups of 15 or more. Our team will work with you to identify the right training configuration, timeline, and delivery format for your institution.
Yes. Join the SMHP waitlist to be notified when new training opportunities become available. You can sign up directly on this page. If you’re looking to organize a group training for your school or district, contact our Group Training team directly to get started.
Still Have Questions?
Our team is ready to help — whether you’re a teacher, a counselor, or
a district leader looking to bring REACH training to your school.
Additional Resources
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