Schools have long been recognized as crucial institutions in addressing children’s mental health needs, particularly in rural areas where schools often serve as the primary—if not the only—source of mental health services for children. According to the Surgeon General’s office, 20% of children require active mental health interventions, and 16% experience functional impairment due to mental health issues. However, many families face significant barriers in meeting these needs independently. These barriers include socioeconomic constraints, lack of insurance coverage, stigma, limited access to accurate mental health information, and a scarcity of available resources. Consequently, schools bear the burden of being the primary providers of mental health services for many children, despite being severely understaffed and overburdened.

Parenting itself has become increasingly difficult as more youth struggle with mental health issues, and many parents feel ill-equipped to support their children effectively. Studies show that 50% of parents worry their child is struggling but don’t know what to do, and 32% feel their child is unhappy. Additionally, there is a strong link between the mental health of parents and their children. Depressed teens, for example, are about five times more likely to have a depressed parent, and anxious teens are three times more likely to have an anxious parent. Unfortunately, mental health providers often treat teens in isolation, neglecting the broader family context that is critical to effective mental health support.