K-12 mental health, plainly explained

The MentalSpace School Journal

Research-grounded articles for school administrators, counselors, and educators — HB 268 compliance, universal screening, threat assessment, and what good school mental health looks like day-to-day.

A diverse elementary school counselor sits side-by-side with a school administrator reviewing a laptop screen showing a teletherapy session in a quiet school office, both leaning in with focused, empathetic expressions — editorial documentary photo about supporting students with Tourette syndrome and OCD through same-day school-based therapy

FeaturedClinical Practice

Tourette Syndrome and OCD in Kids: A Guide for Schools

Why tics and rituals are neurological, not behavioral — and how CBIT and ERP give students their control back

Pediatric Tourette syndrome and OCD explained for Georgia schools — CBIT and ERP therapy, HB 268 deadlines, and same-day $0 Medicaid teletherapy access.

MentalSpace School TeamJul 4, 202610 min read

Latest

From the Journal

A Black school counselor sits side-by-side with a multiracial teenage girl in a quiet school library, both looking at a notebook mid-conversation, her posture guarded but the counselor listening with warm attention, editorial documentary photo about recognizing peer pressure stress in teens beyond typical teen drama

School Mental Health

Peer Pressure Stress in Teens: More Than Teen Drama

Peer pressure stress in teens is more than teen drama. Learn the warning signs, the research, and how Georgia schools respond with CBT/DBT and teletherapy.

Jul 4, 202612 min read

A school nurse kneels beside a middle-school student sitting on the exam table holding his head, both calm as she talks him through slow breathing in a quiet nurse's office — editorial documentary photo about recognizing stress-related headaches in students

Clinical Practice

Stress Headaches in Kids: What Schools Need to Know

Stress headaches in children often masquerade as illness. Learn the warning signs, when to see a doctor, and how schools can help kids cope.

Jul 4, 202612 min read

A warm Black feeding therapist and a young Latina child explore colorful foods together at a bright table while a smiling parent looks on nearby — editorial documentary photo about pediatric feeding disorder and gentle, multidisciplinary feeding support

School Mental Health

Pediatric Feeding Disorder vs. Picky Eating: A Guide

Pediatric Feeding Disorder vs. picky eating: how to tell the difference, the warning signs at school and home, ARFID overlap, and how MentalSpace School helps.

Jun 19, 202610 min read

A diverse school nurse kneels beside a nervous elementary-age student in a calm school health office, speaking gently before a routine screening — editorial documentary photo about childhood phobia of medical and dental procedures and how schools support anxious students

School Mental Health

Childhood Phobia of Medical & Dental Procedures: A School Guide

Childhood phobia of medical and dental procedures drives skipped shots and delayed care. Learn the signs school staff see and how exposure therapy and CBT help.

Jun 15, 20269 min read

A diverse middle-school counselor sits side-by-side with a teenage student at a quiet library table after class, both looking at a notebook while the counselor listens warmly and the student keeps their long sleeves pulled down over their hands — editorial documentary photo about supporting a student with skin-picking disorder instead of scolding

Clinical Practice

Skin-Picking Disorder in Students: Why "Just Stop" Fails

Skin-picking disorder in students is a body-focused repetitive behavior, not a habit. Learn the school signs, why "just stop" fails, and how to truly help.

Jun 15, 202610 min read

A Black school counselor and a Latina administrator sit side-by-side with a clipboard in a quiet school library reviewing a one-page crisis protocol together — editorial documentary photo about how school staff recognize and respond to adolescent suicidal ideation in schools

Crisis Response

Adolescent Suicidal Ideation in Schools: A Staff Guide

Adolescent suicidal ideation in schools: warning signs, why asking directly is safe, collaborative safety planning, means restriction, and HB 268 readiness.

Jun 15, 202611 min read

A Black school nurse and a Latina school counselor sit side-by-side with a worried mother in a quiet school office, reviewing a student's care plan together — editorial documentary photo about how Georgia schools support children with functional neurological symptom disorder when medical tests look normal but symptoms are real

School Mental Health

FND in Kids: When Tests Are Normal but Symptoms Are Real

Functional neurological symptom disorder in children is real, not faking. The tests look normal but symptoms aren't — here's how Georgia schools can respond.

Jun 8, 202611 min read

A diverse middle-school counselor sits side-by-side with a weary teenage student at a quiet library table after class, the student's head resting on a stack of books while the counselor listens with concern — editorial documentary photo about recognizing academic burnout and school stress in K-12 students

School Mental Health

Academic Burnout in Students: Signs It's Not Laziness

Academic burnout in students isn't laziness — it's a stress response. Learn the warning signs, what fuels K-12 school burnout, and how schools can respond.

Jun 8, 202611 min read

A diverse high-school counselor sits side-by-side with a teenage student on a quiet library bench, the student steadying their breathing while the counselor listens calmly — editorial documentary photo about supporting adolescent panic attacks in schools

School Mental Health

Adolescent Panic Attacks: What Actually Helps in Schools

Adolescent panic attacks in schools: why escape and avoidance backfire, what evidence-based help looks like, and how MentalSpace School supports schools.

Jun 8, 202611 min read

A Black high school student sits side-by-side with a calm, attentive school counselor in a quiet office, talking honestly about adolescent cannabis use in a nonjudgmental, supportive moment — editorial documentary photo about non-punitive, family-involved support for teen substance use

Crisis Response

Adolescent Cannabis Use: What Georgia Schools Should Know

Adolescent cannabis use carries real risks to memory, mood, and motivation. Learn the warning signs schools see and why evidence-based care beats discipline.

Jun 5, 202610 min read

A diverse school counselor sits side-by-side with a worried mixed-race child in a quiet school library, listening with calm reassurance — editorial documentary photo about childhood anxiety in divorce and how schools support students through family transition

Family & Parent Support

Childhood Anxiety in Divorce: A School Guide

Childhood anxiety in divorce often hides as stomachaches, school avoidance, and slipping grades. How schools recognize it, respond, and coordinate care.

Jun 5, 202610 min read

A patient school clinician guides a focused elementary-age boy through a hands-on learning activity at a bright table with sensory tools nearby, a counselor observing warmly — editorial documentary photo about supporting students with co-occurring autism and ADHD

School Mental Health

Co-Occurring Autism and ADHD in Students: A Guide

Co-occurring autism and ADHD is common and easy to miss in students. Learn why the two profiles mask each other and how schools can support both with MTSS.

Jun 5, 202610 min read

A warm speech-language therapist sits side-by-side with a smiling diverse elementary student at a bright library table, practicing a back-and-forth conversation with picture cards — editorial documentary photo about supporting social pragmatic communication disorder in children and helping a child build social connection.

Clinical Practice

Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder in Children

Social pragmatic communication disorder in children, explained for schools: the signs, how it differs from autism, and evidence-based support that helps.

Jun 2, 202610 min read

A diverse middle-school counselor sits at eye level beside a quiet teenage student in a calm school office, listening with reassurance — editorial documentary photo about supporting a child through school bullying trauma

Crisis Response

School Bullying Trauma: Effects on Children & How to Help

School bullying trauma is real. Learn how persistent bullying affects children, the warning signs at school and home, and the trauma-focused help that works.

Jun 2, 20269 min read

A diverse middle-school teacher kneels beside a focused mixed-race tween reading intently at a desk in a warm classroom, offering quiet encouragement — editorial documentary photo about supporting twice-exceptional students whose giftedness and challenges hide each other at school

School Mental Health

Twice-Exceptional Students: Easing Gifted 2e Stress

Twice-exceptional students are gifted and also have a challenge like ADHD or anxiety. Learn the signs at school, why 2e stress hides, and how to support them.

Jun 2, 202610 min read

A diverse elementary occupational therapist sits side-by-side with a focused young student at a school library table, gently guiding their grip on a pencil — editorial documentary photo about developmental coordination disorder (dyspraxia) and how kids who seem clumsy work twice as hard at handwriting.

School Mental Health

DCD (Dyspraxia): Why Some Kids Seem “Clumsy”

Developmental coordination disorder (dyspraxia) explained for schools — why some kids seem clumsy, how DCD shows up in class, and the accommodations that help.

May 30, 202610 min read

A diverse school nurse and a Latina mother sit side by side at a small table in a school health office reviewing a growth chart together, both focused and calm — editorial documentary photo about spotting ARFID and extreme picky eating in students and coordinating care with families

School Mental Health

ARFID: When Picky Eating Is Actually a Disorder

ARFID is when extreme picky eating becomes a disorder. What schools should watch for, how it differs from anorexia, and how MentalSpace School helps families.

May 30, 202610 min read

A diverse elementary school counselor crouches to eye level beside a guarded young student sitting alone on a school hallway bench, offering calm, patient presence without crowding — editorial documentary photo about reactive attachment disorder in students and the child who stopped reaching out

Clinical Practice

Reactive Attachment Disorder in Students: A School Guide

Reactive attachment disorder in students is often mislabeled as ODD or ADHD. Learn the classroom signs, why consequences backfire, and how to support kids.

May 30, 202610 min read

A warm middle-school counselor sits side-by-side with a student at a quiet library table, helping the child sort a small box of saved items into two gentle piles — editorial documentary photo about compassionate support for pediatric hoarding and excessive saving behaviors in schools

School Mental Health

Pediatric Hoarding: When a Child Cannot Throw Anything Away

Pediatric hoarding and excessive saving in kids is real and often tied to anxiety, OCD, or ADHD. Learn the signs, why purges backfire, and how schools can help.

May 29, 202610 min read

A Black elementary speech-language teacher sits side-by-side with a young student at a sunlit school library table, listening patiently as the child speaks — editorial documentary photo about supporting students with childhood-onset fluency disorder (stuttering)

School Mental Health

Stuttering in Students: What Schools Get Wrong

Childhood-onset fluency disorder (stuttering) is neurodevelopmental, not nervousness. Learn the real signs, what never helps, and how schools support students.

May 29, 202610 min read

A diverse special-education teacher and a multiracial teenage student sit side-by-side at a school library table reviewing a workbook together, both focused and at ease — editorial documentary photo about strengths-based support for students with intellectual developmental disorder

School Mental Health

Intellectual Developmental Disorder in Students: A Guide

Intellectual developmental disorder in students, explained: what IDD is, how it's accurately diagnosed beyond IQ, and how Georgia schools build IEPs that work.

May 29, 202610 min read

A parent kneels to the eye level of their young child in a warm home hallway, hands on the child's shoulders in a reassuring, judgment-free conversation — editorial documentary photo about supporting a child through encopresis with compassion

Family & Parent Support

Encopresis: Why Soiling Is Medical, Not Misbehavior

Encopresis (childhood soiling) is medical, not misbehavior. Learn why chronic constipation usually drives it, why punishment backfires, and how coordinated care helps.

May 28, 20269 min read

A middle-school girl sits with a calm, attentive school counselor in a quiet office, practicing slow breathing together, both composed — editorial documentary photo about supporting students through panic attacks at school

School Mental Health

Yes, Kids Can Have Panic Attacks: A School Guide

Children and teens can develop panic disorder. Learn how to tell panic attacks from a medical emergency, why they drive school avoidance, and how Georgia schools respond.

May 28, 20269 min read

A patient teacher leans in beside a diverse elementary student at a classroom table as the child types on a tablet, looking encouraged rather than frustrated — editorial documentary photo about supporting students with dysgraphia

School Mental Health

Dysgraphia in Students: Signs & How Schools Help

Dysgraphia is a brain-based learning difference in writing, not laziness. Learn the signs, the accommodations that work, and how Georgia schools support the emotional toll.

May 28, 20269 min read

A Latina school counselor and a Black mother sit across from each other at a small table in a school hallway alcove, reviewing printed materials together with calm, focused expressions — editorial documentary photo about recognizing childhood social anxiety and connecting families to culturally competent care in Georgia schools

Family & Parent Support

Social Anxiety in Kids: When Shyness Becomes a Disorder

Social anxiety disorder in children is not ordinary shyness. Learn the signs, cultural factors, and evidence-based treatments that help students thrive in school.

May 27, 202611 min read

A Black elementary-school counselor and a white mother sit side by side at a small table in a school library reviewing a reading assessment together, both focused and collaborative — editorial documentary photo about identifying dyslexia early and supporting K-12 students with learning differences

Clinical Practice

Dyslexia in K-12: Signs, Diagnosis, and What Actually Helps

Dyslexia affects 1 in 5 students, yet many go undiagnosed for years. Learn the signs, how diagnosis works, classroom supports, and how MentalSpace School helps Georgia districts.

May 27, 202610 min read

A diverse veteran teacher and a school counselor sit side-by-side on a quiet school hallway bench debriefing after a tough class, the counselor listening intently — editorial documentary photo about supporting educators who work with students with oppositional defiant disorder

Clinical Practice

Oppositional Defiant Disorder in Students: A School Guide

Oppositional defiant disorder in students explained for Georgia schools and families: what ODD is, evidence-based treatment, and how to support educators.

May 25, 20269 min read

A diverse mother and her young daughter sit side-by-side with a warm school counselor in a bright school library, the girl pointing at a picture book instead of speaking — editorial documentary photo about selective mutism as a childhood anxiety disorder rather than shyness

Family & Parent Support

Selective Mutism: Why It's Anxiety, Not Shyness

Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder, not shyness or defiance. Learn the signs, why early treatment works, and how Georgia families and schools can respond.

May 25, 20269 min read

A diverse Latina school counselor sits side-by-side with a teenage girl in a quiet school library, both calmly looking at a notebook together — editorial documentary photo about recognizing autism in girls and students of color who are often missed

School Mental Health

Autism in Girls & Students of Color: Why It's Missed

Autism in girls and students of color is missed for years due to biased diagnostic models. Learn the signs, the equity gap, and how to support every student.

May 25, 20269 min read

A diverse school counselor sits side-by-side with a middle-school student in a quiet library, both reviewing a notebook together — editorial documentary photo about supporting students with mood concerns like pediatric bipolar disorder

School Mental Health

Pediatric Bipolar Disorder: What Schools Should Know

Pediatric bipolar disorder is real but rare, and easily confused with DMDD or ADHD. Learn what episodes look like and how schools can support accurate care.

May 24, 20269 min read

A diverse middle school counselor sits beside a thoughtful student in a quiet school library after class, both reviewing a notebook together — editorial documentary photo about recognizing childhood anxiety and supporting students at school

School Mental Health

Childhood Anxiety: When 'Tummy Aches' Are Really Anxiety

Childhood Generalized Anxiety hides behind tummy aches, missed school, and bedtime tears. Learn the signs, the evidence-based treatments, and how MentalSpace School helps Georgia students.

May 23, 202610 min read

A diverse high-school counselor — a Black woman in her 40s — sits side-by-side with a Latina teenage student on a quiet library bench after school, both leaning forward over a notebook in a curious, non-confrontational conversation — editorial documentary photo about compassionate first-line responses to adolescent substance use in Georgia schools

Clinical Practice

Adolescent Substance Use in Schools: A Georgia Guide

Adolescent substance use in Georgia schools is rarely a character flaw. Learn how integrated mental health care, A-CRA, and family therapy beat discipline.

May 22, 202611 min read

A diverse school nurse — a Black woman in her forties in a quiet school health office — leans in to listen as a teenage girl in a beanie sits across from her, hands tucked in her sleeves — editorial documentary photo about how K-12 staff can open the door to treatment for students with BFRBs, trichotillomania, and skin-picking

Clinical Practice

BFRBs in Students: Trichotillomania & Skin-Picking Guide

BFRBs in students — trichotillomania and excoriation disorder — are DSM-5 conditions. Learn the signs, why punishment backfires, and the evidence-based response.

May 22, 202611 min read

A diverse middle school counselor — a Black woman in her 40s — sits side-by-side with a teenage girl in a quiet school library hallway, both looking down at a notebook on the table between them while the counselor listens intently — editorial documentary photo about how school clinicians respond to non-suicidal self-injury in teens

Crisis Response

Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) in Teens: A School Response Guide

Non-suicidal self-injury in teens is a coping signal, not a suicide attempt — but it raises risk. Here's how Georgia schools should respond.

May 22, 202610 min read

A Black school counselor sits with an elementary girl in a softly lit school office, warm and calm body language, gentle supportive listening — editorial documentary photo about trauma-responsive school mental health and ACEs in Georgia districts

Trauma & PTSD

Childhood Trauma Is Not a Life Sentence: ACEs and What Helps

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are strong predictors of adult outcomes — but they are not destiny. Learn what trauma-responsive care really means and how Georgia schools can deliver it.

May 21, 202612 min read

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