Mental Health Research to Support All Students

The School Mental Health Collaborative is made up of researchers and scholars from the Universities of California, South Florida, and Wisconsin. We partner with schools to find ways to support the mental health of children and adolescents in the classroom. Our work informs policy and practices that promote the social-emotional and behavioral success of all students.

What We Do

Conduct Research

We study how to identify and address the mental health needs of students in the classroom

Develop Resources

Assessments & intervention materials for schools & families

Provide Technical Assistance

Guidance and support for schools & practitioners

Train Future Professionals

Training programs for the next generation of school mental health researchers & practitioners

Recent Work

Screenshot of research brief: School Based Health Centers in Madison Schools

School-Based Health Centers in Madison Schools
This research brief describes the school-based behavioral health clinics that opened in 4 Madison high schools during the 2023-2024 school year. Our data show that these school-based health centers are an effective way to increase access to mental health for students who typically struggle to get services.

School Mental Health Research Brief: Screening Students for Trauma

Screening Students for Trauma
In this School Mental Health Practice Brief, Katie Eklund shares strategies for routinely screening students for trauma exposure.

In the News

Not Your Average School Psychologist Podcast Logo

Reducing Barriers to Systems-Level Implementation with Dr. Eklund
In this February 2025 episode of Not Your Average School Psychologist, Dr. Katie Eklund shares about her work with Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), specifically her contributions to Tier 2 interventions. Dr. Eklund also discussed how she is working to address mental health shortages in schools and bridge the research-to-practice gap.

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K-12 Crisis Prevention in Wake of ALCS shooting
Channel 3000 interviewed Katie Eklund following the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in December 2024. Katie describes how threat assessment can be used to identify and address concerns before violence occurs. She also provides ways to support kids affected by school violence.

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What’s being done to help mental health among school kids?
From PBS Wisconsin (December 2023), Steven Potter reports on how peer support, school staff and psychology researchers are trying to keep up with the growing rate of mental health issues among students. Katie Eklund is interviewed as part of this report.