The shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado earlier this year is one of the worst examples of school violence in U.S. history. The conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Tech Center. Studies show that one student out of every four would benefit from mental health services at some point in their lives. Experts say access to proper mental health care for children is limited.
Many barriers still exist for families seeking treatment at community based centers.
Some are afraid of the social stigma of receiving mental health services while others may not be able afford care. In other cases, parents are simply not aware of the mental heath services available for children. Many children suffer from social or emotional problems, or feelings of constant fear and hopelessness. School-based mental health programs bring help to troubled kids who need it, where they need it. According to Weist, less than 10 percent of schools in the U.S. offer comprehensive mental health care for youth in both special and regular education.