Mental Health Research to Support All Students

Our Mission

The purpose of the School Mental Health Collaborative (SMHC) is to conduct research that informs policy and practice related to the promotion of social-emotional and behavioral success of all students. SMHC scholars generate tools, resources, and guidance that help educators and parents promote the mental health of children and adolescents. Read more about us

News

UW-Madison Awarded $10.4M Grant to Launch National Center for School Mental Health Providers

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has been awarded a 4-year, $10.4 million federal contract to launch and operate a national center to expand and improve the country’s school-based mental health workforce of school psychologists, social workers, and other practitioners. The new center, called METRICS, will begin operations on October 1 in partnership with collaborators across three other institutions known for school mental health expertise: University of South Florida, University of California Santa Barbara, and University of Iowa. Read the full WCER news article about the new center.

Dr. Katie Eklund interviewed about Out-of-School Suspension policy by Madison’s Ch. 27 News
(Sept. 2, 2023)

Dr. Eklund was interviewed by Madison station WKOW regarding the Madison Metropolitan School District’s recent policy change. Elementary students will no longer receive OSS except in the case of criminal behavior, helping to break the cycle of repeated removals from school. Read the full WKOW news article.

USF SMHC is seeking a postdoctoral research fellow!
(March 6, 2023)

The SMHC Research, Training, and Technical Assistance Center at the University of South Florida (USF) is offering a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position with yearly renewal; prior Fellows have continued within the USF SMHC Center as Assistant Research Professors. The Fellow would join a rapidly growing team led by USF faculty Co-Directors (Drs. Nate von der Embse, Shannon Suldo, and Evan Dart), and includes a Center Director, two Postdoctoral Fellows, two Research Assistant Professors, and numerous graduate students. Read more about the postdoctoral program details.

Applications now open for 2 positions in the SMHC Postdoctoral Research and Training Program
(September 23, 2022)

SMHC is currently accepting applications for two open postdoctoral researcher positions. The deadline to apply is October 15th. Please visit the postdoctoral program webpage for details.

SMHC Resources

SMHC provides a variety of resources to school mental health practitioners and researchers that includes implementation resources, guides, tools, etc.

REP (Resilience Education Program) Materials

REP is a targeted Tier 2 intervention for elementary and middle school students (Grades 4-8) at risk for internalizing concerns, such as depression and anxiety. The REP materials include curricula, student workbooks, a family handbook, etc.

Best Practices in Universal Screening for Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Outcomes: An Implementation Guide (PDF)

This guide summarizes the current state of research and practice related to universal SEB screening and provides practical and defensible recommendations.

Postdoctoral Research & Training Program

SMHC provides training to the next generation of school mental health researchers and practitioners through rigorous pre-doctoral and post-doctoral training programs.

Technical Assistance

SMHC is available for consultation to state and local education agencies to facilitate and promote access to high-quality, evidence-based, school mental and behavioral health assessments and interventions.

Research Projects

The School Mental Health Collaborative conducts research in schools and communities across the country to promote the mental health of children and families.

To learn more about these projects, and all studies conducted by SMHC researchers