ABSTRACT
Scandal is a very strong word, often misused to describe something merely disliked. The fact is that many problems related to mental health are often first noticed in schools, and teachers are therefore in a particularly good position to recognize the scandal and do something about it. Children who have mental health problems or need special supports in school because of emotional or behavioral disabilities have attracted many different labels and much confusing terminology. Children with mental health problems are often considered in schools to have "emotional and behavioral disorders" (EBD) or "emotional disturbance" (ED). A common complaint is that children in some groups—males, African Americans, those of lower socioeconomic status—are disproportionately identified for special education or other mental health services. Part of the scandal of neglect of children's mental health needs might be attributed to the mistaken belief that certain groups of students have been over-identified.
