IMPORTANCE OF THE

ARTICLE ABOUT
“CHILDREN’S LITERATURE
AND SOCIO-EMOTIONAL
LEARNING”
By: Ricel Rico
 Good mental health is critical
to children’s success in school
and life. Research demonstrates
that students who receive social–
emotional and mental health
support achieve better
academically.
 Earlier, the following issues
were addressed: the unmet
mental health needs of youth and
families, the limited number of
mental health professionals, and
the barriers that inhibit
individuals from seeking and
receiving mental health care.
 To address these issues, and to reduce the stigma of
seeking mental health care, two strategies were offered:
(1) providing mental (2) broadening the
health services in capacity of mental
schools and health care by
preparing individuals
to provide
psychological support.
School-Based
Health Clinics
 There are many different types
of school mental health professionals
and service providers who work with
children in schools to provide services. Some
providers specialize in specific services or programs
and others provide a wider range of services such as:
School Counselor
Professionals who work
with all students, school
staff, families and
members of the
community as an integral
part of the education
program.
School Social Worker
A trained mental health
provider, generally with a
master’s degree in social
work, who provides a
range of prevention and
intervention services for
students and their families
as it pertains to their
education.
School Psychologist
Masters or doctoral-level
behavioral health providers
trained to provide
psychological testing,
assessment, prevention,
and intervention services in
the school setting.
School Nurses/ Nurse Practitioners
Receive specialized
training to provide
services and supports to
prevent and treat general
health and wellness
concerns of students and
to promote a safe and
healthy school
environment.
Some other forms of support may include:
o Paraprofessional – may also be referred to as a “para”, teacher’s
assistant, classroom aide, or one-to-one, works in a school
teaching position that covers a wide variety of school-based
activities needs.
o Natural and Informal Supports – people are also encouraged to
seek support from natural and informal supports in the
community. As a parent or caregiver, you play a critical primary
role in your child’s health and development.