School Mental Health
The School Mental Health page provides a central place to find information and resources to aid service providers of school mental health topics. This model is best described using the KSDE Integrated Learning Process.
Bullying Prevention (BP) Toolkit Templates for Districts
This toolkit is the KSDE guidance for districts related to incidents of potential bullying. The templates provide the evidence based practices recommended for districts to use to address reported bullying incidents. The toolkit was created in 2025.
Bullying Prevention Toolkit (PDF)
Templates
Student Skill Building Plan
Progress Monitoring after bullying incident
Mandated Reporting Guidance for Districts
YouTube video Mandated Reporting- KSDE
This video explains the updated terms and justifications for all mandated reporters working in Kansas schools. This was created in Fall 2025.
Non-KSDE resources
- A Guide to Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect (External PDF)
- Child Protective Services Mandated Reporter Training (YouTube video)
- Tips for Making Online Report of Abuse or Neglect (External PDF)
Provider Facing Children's Service and Treatment Continuum (PDF)
Created by the Behavioral Health Services Planning leadership team, this document blends and braids KDOC, KDHE, KSDE, and KDADS behavioral health services that are currently in place.
Suicide Prevention Toolkit Templates for Districts
Suicide Prevention Toolkit (PDF)
Training Video (YouTube) / SP toolkit video worksheet (PDF)
These documents are the templates for Kansas schools to use to build their local Suicide Prevention plans that align with KSA 72-6284 or the Kansas Jason Flatt Act requirements.
Training, Education, and Programming
- Planning Tool PDF / Word
- School Mental Health Team (SMHT) Identification Tool PDF / Word
- Risk Factors for Youth Suicide
- School and Community Resource Template PDF / Word
Identifying and Responding to Suicide Risk in Schools (Intervention)
- Parent/Guardian Notification (PDF)
- Suicide Screening and Response Protocol PDF / Word
- Collaborating with Families after Screening (PDF)
- Parent Contact Acknowledgement Form-Sample PDF / Word
- Guidelines for Releasing Information (PDF)
- Release of Information (ROI)-Sample PDF / Word
- Stanley-Brown Safety Plan-Adapted PDF / Word
- Student Suicide Intervention Documentation Form-Sample PDF / Word
Facilitating a Student’s Return to School (Reintegration)
Postvention for Staff or Student Loss
- Postvention Response Checklist PDF / Word
- Guidelines for Working with the Family (PDF)
- Best Practices for Memorialization Policies (PDF)
- Considerations for Long-Term Support (PDF)
- Considerations for Anniversaries of Crisis Events (PDF)
Non-Suicide / Not Permitted to Disclose
- Inquiry Response Protocol (PDF)
- Notify All Staff of a Death (PDF)
- Notifying All Students of a Death (PDF)
- Supporting All Students Through Grief (PDF)
- Communicating with Students (PDF)
- Communicating with Families (PDF)
- Guidelines for Media Interactions (PDF)
- Monitoring Social Media (PDF)
Suicide / Permitted to Disclose
- Inquiry Response Protocol (PDF)
- Notify All Staff of a Death (PDF)
- Notifying All Students of a Death (PDF)
- Supporting All Students Through Grief (PDF)
- Communicating with Students (PDF)
- Communicating with Families (PDF)
- Guidelines for Media Interactions (PDF)
- Monitoring Social Media (PDF)
General Information
KSDE has many resources available for school mental health, such as documents related to the Kansas state standards for social and emotional character development (SECD).
Social-Emotional Character Development Standards
SECD Standards Aligned to College and Career Readiness
SECD Fact Sheet
SECD Competencies Scope and Sequence
These documents support district's ability to measure social and emotional growth locally:
Social-Emotional Growth (SEG)
SECD competencies- Student Growth
SECD Standards Aligned with Kansans Can Competencies Framework
This site takes Kansas schools to the free resources available to all Kansas schools. These skills are aligned to the 26 skills that matter in character education. The framework provides a structured, embedded process for developing career-equipped, lifelong learners who are socially and emotionally engaged.
Kansans Can Competency Framework (External Website)
School Psychologists
School psychologists support the educational and mental health needs of all students. They promote social, emotional, and academic development while advocating for safe and supportive learning environments. Partnering with parents, educators, and other professionals, they help students achieve their highest levels of success and well-being. Using a range of strategies, school psychologists address individual needs and strengthen school- and district-wide systems to reduce barriers and increase access to high-quality instructional setting promoting healthy learning and pro-social behaviors.
Licensure for School Psychologists is done by Teacher Licensure. Licensure questions should be sent to: TLALicense@ksde.gov or by phone 785-296-2288.
Approved Educator Preparation Programs may be found through Teacher Licensure.
KSDE School Psychologist Listserv: Email Trish Backman and request to be added.
School Social Workers
School social workers are trained mental health professionals who play a vital role on student services teams. They support students’ mental health, behavior, and academic success through counseling, positive behavioral supports, and classroom interventions. In addition to working directly with students, they collaborate with teachers, parents, and administrators to strengthen home–school–community partnerships. By addressing barriers to learning and promoting competence and confidence, school social workers help schools fulfill their core mission of teaching and learning through supporting high-quality instruction.
Social Workers are licensed by the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB).
Kansas School Social Workers Association Listserv: Email Trish Backman and request to be added.
School Counselors
Licensure for School Counselors is done by Teacher Licensure. Licensure questions should be sent to: TLALicense@ksde.gov or by phone 785-296-2288.
Approved Educator Preparation Programs may be found through KSDE Licensure.
