Mental Health and Student Support Service Providers in the Schools: Understanding Access and Equity Across the United States

Abstract

School-based mental health professionals, including school psychologists, counselors, and social workers are critical to appropriate mental health services to youth in schools. However, the vast majority of states are chronically underserved by these professionals, despite policies that attempt to rectify the shortages. In this paper, we document variation in access to these professionals across the United States, assessing the school- and district-level factors associated with the presence and prevalence of these service providers using the Civil Rights Data Collection from 2017–2018. We analyze these results descriptively and with logistic regression and find evidence of varying degrees of inequity in all three positions with significant factors associated with the prevalence of these professionals. Implications for policy and future research are discussed. Impact Statement This paper seeks to elucidate the factors related to the prevalence of school-based mental health providers, including school psychologists, counselors, and social workers. An improved understanding of these implications will help policymakers and practitioners alike to make decisions regarding the allocation of resources for these important professionals.