School mental health has recently seen an unprecedented surge in interest and investment. This growth is fueled by a youth mental health crisis, exacerbated by the global pandemic, paired with evidence for schools as a critical venue for preventing and treating mental health problems (Hoover & Bostic, 2021a).

In this practice brief, Dr. Sharon Hoover, Co-Director of the federally-funded National Center for School Mental Health, outlines five opportunities fundamental to leveraging this unparalleled moment in school mental health to achieve the ultimate goal of promoting mental health and well-being for all youth. Each opportunity aligns with the central theme of “moving upstream,” investing in a public health approach to promote the well-being of all students, identifying mental health concerns early, and strategically offering early intervention and treatment where youth are – in schools.