Mental Health

Atlanta Public Schools provides layered mental health and wellness supports so students and families are not alone when facing stress, loss, or other challenges. Through school-based teams and community partners, we promote emotional well-being, early intervention, and access to therapeutic services in a safe, supportive learning environment.

Student Mental Health and Wellness Supports

School Based Mental Health Team

School-Based Mental Health Team
Each school has at least one of the following professionals who can help support students’ emotional and behavioral needs:

School Counselor
School Nurse
School Psychologist
SST/RTI Intervention Specialist
School Social Worker

These staff members work together to help students cope with grief, anxiety, conflict, and other concerns that may affect learning.

Wrap-Around Supports

Wrap-Around Supports
APS partners with families and community agencies to close gaps that can get in the way of student success. Depending on need, supports may include:

Mental health and family counseling
Mentoring and anger management supports
Substance abuse supports
Teen parenting and childcare resources
Dental, health, and vision care
Early childhood learning supports
Adult education and related adult supports
Specialized student placements
Other services as needs arise

To learn more about the wraparound approach, families may visit the National Wraparound Initiative website.

Mental Health Partners

APS Mental Health Provider Partners
APS has contracted with several community mental health agencies to provide additional therapeutic services for students and families. Services may be provided at school, in the community, or via telehealth, and can often be accessed through family health insurance.

Current APS mental health partners include:

Backpack Healthcare
Cartwheel Health Services
CHRIS 180
Family Ties
Grace Harbour Behavioral Health
New Heights Behavioral Consultants
Pathways Transitions Program
Premier Counseling Services

How to Request Mental Health Support

How to Request Mental Health Support
Parents and caregivers can contact their child’s school social worker to request a referral for mental health services or to learn more about available supports.

The school social worker will gather basic information about your child’s needs.
You’ll learn about different options provided by your school’s contracted mental health provider (such as school-based, community-based, or telehealth services).
The school social worker will submit the referral and let you know the next steps in the intake process and the expected timelines.
Once services begin, the school social worker may check in to follow up on your child’s progress.

Please note: If you have immediate safety concerns, the school social worker can help you connect with crisis supports and community resources.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based training that teaches adults how to recognize signs of mental health or substance use challenges, offer initial support, and connect a person to professional help.

The course uses the ALGEE action plan:

A – Assess for risk of suicide or harm
L – Listen nonjudgmentally
G – Give reassurance and information
E – Encourage appropriate professional help
E – Encourage self-help and other supports

In Atlanta Public Schools, MHFA helps school social workers feel more confident noticing concerns early, responding with care, and guiding students and families to the right resources.

Grief and Loss Resources

Children and adolescents experience grief and loss differently and may not yet have the skills to understand or cope with intense feelings. After the death of a family member, friend, classmate, or teacher, they may show a wide range of emotions or changes in behavior.

If your child is grieving, please contact their school. Sharing information helps teachers and staff understand any changes and connect your child with Student Services Team members who can offer support. While not exhaustive, the resources below are provided to help families navigate grief and loss.

Helping Young Children with Grief:

Grief Support Programs and Camps:

Resources to Help Talk About Loss:

Additional Crisis Resource - Safe Place Partnership

Additional Crisis Resource – Safe Place Partnership
Christian City partners with QuikTrip stores, YMCA of Metro Atlanta locations, and local fire stations in several metro Atlanta counties (Fulton, Douglas, Carroll, Fayette, Coweta, DeKalb, and Cobb) to provide Safe Place sites for teens in crisis.

Teens can:

Text the word “safe” and their current address to 4HELP (44357), or
Call 770-964-3301 for immediate assistance.

Safe Place locations display the yellow and black Safe Place sign so teens know they can walk in and ask for help.

Crisis & 24/7 Support for Students and Families

Crisis & 24/7 Support for Students and Families
This webpage and the Let’s Talk form are not monitored for emergencies. If you or your child needs immediate help, please use the resources below:

Georgia Crisis & Access Line (GCAL) – 24/7 mental health and substance use crisis support
Call 1-800-715-4225 or visit mygcal.com
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988, or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Emergency / Immediate Danger – If there is an immediate safety concern or medical emergency, call 9-1-1 right away.

District Point of Contact:

Adelia Johnson, LCSW

Social Work Coordinator

For questions or non-emergency support, use “Let’s Talk” to send us a message.

Let's Talk