ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the need for children's mental health supports, and describes why children's mental health matters in relation to children's life and educational outcomes. It explores the historical treatment of children's mental health concerns and legislative initiatives that lead to schools being viewed as ideal places to promote mental wellness in youth. School-based practitioners have been found to be more effective at improving the social-emotional learning outcomes of students than non-school practitioners. These statistics highlight the important role schools play and how they may serve as optimal settings for supporting students' social-emotional health. Often children with internalizing concerns often display externalizing behaviors. Externalizing behaviors can be defined as negative conduct that is directed outwardly toward others and is considered undercontrolled. Early intervention is a key in altering the social-emotional trajectory in children who are at risk for developing internalizing concerns. Such interventions provide children the social-emotional services and strategies they need to lead lives in overcoming mental health concerns.
