U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 Notes From the Field: Addressing Mental Health Is an Important Factor in Improving School Safety
NCJ Number
              254122

Author(s)
          Christine  Harms
Date Published

October 2019
Length
              6 pages
Annotation
              Christine Harms, Director of the Colorado School Safety Resource Center, discusses the importance of the psychological well-being of students as a critical component in improving school safety.
Abstract
              She focuses on helping students feel more connected to their school community through the development of social and emotional learning skills that will facilitate their beneficial functioning in relationships and groups. In Colorado, suicides are the leading cause of death for youth and young adults. On the Safe2Tell hotline, an anonymous tip line operated by the Attorney General's Office, the most reported tip pertains to callers' concern about the potential for suicide of a classmate. Although teachers cannot be expected to diagnose mental health issues with their students, teachers should have basic background training in mental health issues, such that they know when and how to refer students to mental health professionals. The Colorado School Safety Resource Center provides a number of free online training courses for any interested person; however, the most accessed training program is a course for educators on mental health. This course provides basics on symptoms manifested by depressed students and how school performance may suffer due to anxiety or other common mental health issues. Colorado has been a national leader in establishing threat assessment teams. These teams are composed of a mental health practitioner, school administrator, and law enforcement official. The team evaluates situations in which a student may be at risk of violent behavior. The team determines whether immediate attention is needed or whether other resources of support should be provided to the student.
      
  
          Additional Details
Agencies
        NIJ


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Technical Assistance
                                Instructional Material (Programmed)
    
  
  
Date Published: October 1, 2019
    
          Downloads
        
                      HTML

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Child health and welfare
        Juvenile health/mental health
        Juvenile justice
        Juvenile mental health
        Juvenile mental health services



  
Similar Publications
        
                      Promoting School Safety Through Multi-tiered Systems of Support for Student Mental Health
                  Research and Evaluation on School Safety: Perceptions of State School Safety Center Supports and Services
                  Enhancing Foundational Validity of Forensic Findings in Medico-Legal Strangulation Examinations
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov