Norway is attempting to anchor mental health in schools as a public health concern, recognize interconnection between learning and education, and acknowledge the potential school has to promote SMH. Recently, Norway has been working towards cross-sector collaboration and implementation  of  evidence-based  practices


School Mental Health in Norway

After a long period of conflict, Liberians were left with long-term physical, psychological, and social trauma. Liberia itself is dealing with significant infrastructure inadequacies and financial constraints. Post-conflict, Liberia is rebuilding their health infrastructure and social fabric using cross-sector collaboration and new mental health policy.


School Mental Health in Liberia

The U.S. takes state, local, and federal initiatives to promote SMH services. But, SMH care is fragmented and disconnected across schools and not based on evidence for effectiveness. Currently the U.S. is trying to promote the best practices through meaningful youth and family engagement, implementation of evidence-based practices, and monitoring and quality assurance


School Mental Health in the U.S.

An understanding how to obtain and maintain good mental health, mental disorders and their treatments. It decreases stigma associated with mental disorders and enhances help-seeking efficacy.



Mental Health Literacy

- Cross-sector collaboration is foundational for progress
- Efforts are still characterized as patchwork w/ significant variability
- Systems of ongoing monitoring and quality assurance = essential
- Educators should be trained on mental health concepts
- There is a need for organizing information of SMH implementations across nations, creating repository of key resources for genuine collaboration between SMH practitioner, researchers, and policy makers

Boston University

The impact of how linkage and communications between health and education can address youth mental health needs more effectively. Now, high-quality SMH programs with strong potential can bridge gap between unmet needs and provision of effective mental health promotion/intervention. Nations like Canada, Norway, the U.S., and Liberia have a view towards implementation programs based on positive impact, framed within multi-tiered system of support (MTSS). Canada and the U.S. are currently leading in SMH, with Norway and Liberia following behind.

Conclusion: School Mental Health Development in Different Nations

Weist, M. D., Bruns, E. J., Whitaker, K., Wei, Y., Kutcher, S., Larsen, T., Holsen, I., Cooper, J. L., Geroski, A., &amp; Short, K. H. (2017). School mental health promotion and intervention: Experiences from four nations. School Psychology International, 38(4), 343–362. https://doi.org/10.1177/0143034317695379 

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