MENTAL-HEALTH IN THE SCHOOLS - LINKING ISLANDS OF HOPE IN A SEA OF DESPAIR

The current and future status of the school psychologist's role in men tal health programming is addressed. Despite concerns that school psyc hologists are spending the majority of their time conducting psychoedu cational assessments, there is evidence that some school psychologists are conducting mental health programming. We describe ''islands of ho pe''-programs in which school psychologists assume key roles in mental health program development, implementation, and evaluation. We conclu de with suggestions for ways in which school psychologists can facilit ate their participation as mental health service providers, by creatin g information networks, developing prereferral assistance teams, devel oping collaborative systems of care, demonstrating accountability, ext ending work into the community, becoming culturally competent, develop ing practitioner-university partnerships, and broadening roles and fun ctions.