Transform Your School Health Office Into a Mental Health Support Center School nurses face an unprecedented mental health crisis. With 1 in 5 students experiencing mental health challenges, you're increasingly the first professional to recognize warning signs—yet most nursing programs provide minimal mental health training for school settings. This comprehensive handbook bridges that critical gap. Inside, discover evidence-based protocols specifically designed for school nurses managing mental health concerns within real-world constraints—limited time, complex legal requirements, and diverse student populations. Master Essential Assessment Skills: ASQ suicide screening protocols adapted for ages 8-18 PHQ-9 and GAD-7 administration in 5-minute health office visits Elementary behavior observation checklists Crisis triage decision trees for immediate response Cultural competency considerations for diverse populations Navigate Complex Situations With Confidence: FERPA vs. HIPAA guidelines for school-based mental health Mandatory reporting requirements and documentation standards Parent communication scripts for difficult conversations Re-integration planning after psychiatric hospitalization Confidentiality management across age groups Build Your Complete Crisis Response System: Panic attack intervention protocols Self-harm discovery and safety planning procedures Aggressive behavior de-escalation techniques Eating disorder recognition in school settings Early psychosis identification markers Create Sustainable Support Networks: 12-week resource database implementation plan Insurance navigation guidance for families Community partnership development strategies Professional collaboration protocols Digital resource recommendations Each chapter provides step-by-step protocols tested in real school environments, addressing the unique challenges of supporting student mental health within educational settings. Stop feeling overwhelmed by mental health situations. Start building systematic, evidence-based responses that protect students while supporting your professional practice. Perfect for school nurses, health office staff, nursing students preparing for school placements, and administrators developing mental health support systems.