Case Studies
Schools and districts across the U.S. are facing complex mental health challenges among their students. In the face of these challenges, many districts have found innovative and effective solutions to support their students. Below are five case study examples from a wide range of communities that have made significant progress by prioritizing student mental health.
Each case study illustrates how these districts were able to address critical issues, improve student well-being, and build systems that are both scalable and sustainable. Several of these sites now serve as national models, demonstrating what is possible when mental health is treated as foundational to student success. These stories underscore the importance of placing mental health at the forefront of educational priorities, and of complementing in-person support with digital tools
Methuen Public Schools (Massachusetts)
Methuen Public Schools developed a Comprehensive School Mental Health System to respond to rising behavioral and mental health challenges from 2013 to 2015. Their decade-long effort now delivers extensive in-school services with care coordination and universal screening, resulting in increased identification of anxiety and depression cases by 66%.
Rim of the World Unified School District (California)
The Rim of the World Unified School District introduced a mental health care coordination service, expanded virtual learning options, and unified communication tools to address chronic absenteeism, low graduation rates, and unequal access to counseling. These efforts led to a 53% improvement in student mental health, showing that more students received access to the support they needed.
Uplift Education (Texas)
The Uplift Education District took a comprehensive approach to addressing mental well-being challenges by restructuring their engagement strategy and involving key stakeholders in decision-making. These efforts led to an expanded use of digital tools across grade levels and strengthened district-wide support for student character development.
Judson Independent School District (Texas)
The Judson Independent School District invested in digital tools focused on character education and safety monitoring to meet state requirements and support student well-being on a limited budget. By braiding funding and leveraging free resources, they integrated character-building and safety practices into their curriculum, meeting mandates while prioritizing students' needs.
Cherry Creek Public Schools (Colorado)
The Judson Independent School District invested in digital tools focused on character education and safety monitoring to meet state requirements and support student well-being on a limited budget. By braiding funding and leveraging free resources, they integrated character-building and safety practices into their curriculum, meeting mandates while prioritizing students' needs.
