Barriers to Learning: The Case for Integrated Mental Health Services in Schools

"There are very few, if any, books that furnish a grounded account of the major historical and current barriers to integrating mental health services and school life, and then make the practical case for such integration. Barriers to Learning makes a critical, powerful, and timely contribution to making schools and school systems effective for all children. Well-written, clear and compelling, this is a must-read book for education reformersuMichael Fullan, professor emeritus, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto (from the foreword)

"The argument in support of integrated mental health services in schools has been made. Debra S. Lean and Vincent A. Colucci have drawn on their research and many years of front line school-based experience in articulating an integrated model. The model they present will remove barriers to learning and diminish the multiripple effect. Key to its success is the education system's commitment to ensuring that school-based support professionals are mandated in every schooluDan Milne, MSW, RSW. president, Duffenn-Peel Catholic Chapter, Association of Professional Student Services Personnel

"Educators are naturally and logically drawn to understanding learning and behavior while recognizing and trying to sort out the inherent challenges. Lean and Colucci unravel the complexity of the twenty-first century classroom. Barriers to Learning's a practical call to action that integrates years of experience with theory"-Michael Bator retired director of education president, Haig Boulevard Inc.

A key concern for educators, administrators, professional support services personnel, parents, and policy makers is barriers to learning, particularly student mental health. Statistics reveal that up to 20 percent of children and youth have mental health issues, and up to 80 percent of those do not receive proper intervention. This book presents a unique classification and review of various mental health and learning issues. The authors link current education and child and youth mental health reforms to make the case for improving services to address barriers to learning. This book includes a unique School-based Integrated Student Support Model (SISSM), which, within the context of exceptional school leadership and instruction, provides a framework for timely and evidence-based integrated and collaborative services to reduce, manage, and prevent barriers to learning for all students.

Debra S. Lean has more than twenty years of experience in children's mental health and school psychology. She is the chief psychologist at the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and advises for the board's primary level autism spectrum disorder class.
Vincent A. Colucci has more than thirty years of professional social work experience in the fields of mental health and education. His current responsibilities at the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board include working with students in regular. special, and alternative programs at the elementary and high school levels.