A mental health outreach program for elementary schools.

INTRODUCTION: Expanding linkages between mental health services and schools is one strategy to improve early access to help children with emerging mental health problems. However, there are few descriptions of such outreach efforts in Canada. This report describes one model used in Alberta, Canada.
METHOD: Key aspects of the organization and operation of the Community Outreach in Pediatrics/Psychiatry and Education (COPE) program are described.
RESULTS: The COPE program provides child psychiatric and paediatric consultations to families and schools throughout the elementary school systems in the Calgary and Rocky View School Districts in Alberta, Canada. Participating schools refer prioritized children with emotional, behavioural and/or developmental problems. After an inter-professional screening process, most children go on to a physician-based assessment within the school setting which involves the child, family and key school personnel. Following assessment, an action plan is developed and attempts are made to link children and families with needed services.
CONCLUSION: The COPE program represents one approach to linking mental health services with students through schools. Further study is required to determine the range of such models used in Canada. In addition, evaluation of these and other models are sorely needed to better determine the cost-effectiveness of these approaches.