School-Based Services: Mental health assistance for K-12 students

Child in front of a chalk board holding a tablet.

Choices partners with school districts in Indiana to support students experiencing emotional, mental, or behavioral health challenges.

Our mental health services include one-on-one assessments for students who show signs of distress. We further customize the program based on each school district’s needs.

Download our brochure

Benefits of School-Based Services

Early intervention can change the course of a student’s life. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) half of all chronic cases of mental illness start by age 14.

When struggling students get early support, they experience:

  • Improved relationships at school
  • Fewer disciplinary actions
  • Better academic performance
  • A higher chance of graduating
  • Lower rates of special education
Group of third graders looking at a comic book in an arcade

Available services

Choices School-Based Services works with administrators to determine the best types of services for their schools. These services could include:

  • Mental health assessments
  • Behavior plans
  • Crisis support
  • Skills-building groups
  • Talk therapy
  • Coordinating benefits, such as Medicaid
  • Finding additional mental or behavioral services
  • Support for students during the summer

We work with students regardless of their Medicaid or insurance status.

What it’s like for participants

A Choices clinician works on site at the school or school district.

  • When an educator makes a referral to us, our clinician first checks with the parent or legal guardian to make sure it is OK to meet their student.
  • Once they approve, the clinician meets the student in person during the school day.
  • The clinician continues providing support for a few months or longer — at no cost to the student or family.
  • Choices will also seek out additional services if needed.

Read how one student benefited from the program in our School-Based Services brochure.

Contact Us

Choices School-Based Services are available to school districts that have funding for the program, such as a grant or school district budget.

If you are an Indiana school administrator interested in a partnership, contact us at 317.450.8306 or schoolbased@choicesccs.org