Mental Health SUPPORT
Overview
Say Yes Buffalo works alongside the Buffalo Public Schools and a strong network of community partners to help students and families access mental health support when and where they need it.
In alignment with our mission to convene cross-sector community partners to collectively support students and families, we bring schools, mental health providers, and community organizations together to strengthen collaboration and reduce barriers to care.
Together, we are working toward a more connected and accessible system of mental health support for Buffalo’s children, youth, and families.
Services Available
Questions? Get in touch!
Mental Health Clinics
Say Yes Buffalo partners with Buffalo Public Schools and local mental health agencies to help make counseling and mental health services available to students within their school communities.
School-based mental health clinics help reduce barriers that can make it difficult for children and families to access care outside of the school day. Through our partnerships with trusted community mental health providers, students can connect with licensed mental health professionals in a familiar and accessible setting while families remain an important part of their care.
How does it work?
In-school counseling services are provided by community mental health agencies and practices that partner with Buffalo Public Schools.
Students can meet one-on-one with a mental health counselor during the school day, helping families access ongoing support without the added barrier of traveling to an outside appointment. Clinic partners have dedicated office space within the school where meetings can take place privately and confidentially.
How often a student meets with their counselor is based on their individual needs and may range from weekly or every other week to monthly. Parents and guardians are an important part of the process and participate in the initial intake. No student will receive counseling services without parent or guardian consent.
Services are billed through the child’s health insurance. The partnering mental health provider will review insurance coverage and any related information with the family during the intake process.
Families interested in services can connect with their child’s school to learn what mental health supports are available and how to get started.
Psychiatry Services in School
Say Yes Buffalo partners with Buffalo Public Schools and UBMD Psychiatry to bring specialized child and adolescent mental health expertise directly into school communities.
Our child psychiatry team works alongside students, families, educators, and school support teams to better understand children’s mental health and behavioral needs and help connect families with additional services when needed. Services include Psychiatric Consultation, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Evaluations, Family Services Coordination, and Community Education & Training.
Consultation for Student Support Teams
Child psychiatrists are available to participating schools as an additional resource for Student Support Teams (SSTs) when a student may benefit from a deeper understanding of their mental health, behavioral, developmental, or social-emotional needs.
During consultation, the psychiatrist works collaboratively with members of the SST to better understand the concerns surrounding a student, consider factors that may be contributing to those concerns, and help the team identify appropriate strategies, supports, or next steps.
Psychiatric consultation is intended to support the school team, and it does not establish a treatment relationship between the psychiatrist and the student. When additional services or supports may be helpful, the team can work with the family to discuss recommendations and next steps.
Psychiatric Evaluations for Students
Sometimes, a closer look at a student’s emotional, behavioral, or developmental needs can help families and school teams better understand what a child is experiencing and determine what supports may be most helpful.
When appropriate, a child psychiatrist may recommend a formal psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation provides an opportunity to gather information from the student, family, and other important sources to develop a more complete understanding of the child’s strengths, needs, and current concerns.
The goal of an evaluation is to provide helpful recommendations that can guide families and school teams in supporting the child. Recommendations may include strategies for home or school, connections to community-based services, further assessment, or consultation with the child’s health care providers.
A psychiatric evaluation will only take place with written consent from the student’s parent or guardian for students who are minors. Parents/guardians are an important part of the evaluation process and have an opportunity to share their perspectives, questions, and concerns.
Psychiatric Evaluations for Students
Navigating mental health and community services for a student can sometimes feel overwhelming. Family Services Coordination provides an additional layer of support to help families understand available resources and connect with services that may meet their student’s needs.
The Family Services Coordinator works directly with families to help identify needs, explore available options, and navigate connections to helpful resources. Support may also include helping families work through barriers that can make accessing services more difficult and following up as they move through the referral process.
Family Services Coordination is available to families of students at participating schools who are identified for support through the school’s Student Support Team or child psychiatry services.
