Policy Briefing: School-Based Health Services & Improving Students’ Mental Health

Mental health problems are global, and a common burden for adolescents. One avenue for improving access and support for adolescents is through school-based health services (SBHS). These provide comprehensive and appropriate care, which aims to be accessible and low-cost. While SBHS have been shown to improve access to mental health services, evidence of their effectiveness in terms of students’ mental health has been limited. In New Zealand, SBHS can vary from occasional visits by a health professional to comprehensive well-resourced clinics with a permanent team of health professionals on-site.