2025 School-Based Behavioral Health Services Report

The Ohio Council is pleased to share the 2025 School-Based Behavioral Health Services Report, which highlights the continued growth and impact of partnerships between community behavioral health centers (CBHCs) and Ohio’s school districts. This year, school-based behavioral health (SBBH) services are being delivered in over 3,850 school buildings, a 232% increase since 2017. SBBH partnerships now reach 692 school districts, charter schools, and ESCs statewide, offering a full continuum of care that includes prevention, treatment, crisis response, and family engagement.

The 2025 results also affirm something provider organizations have long known: families are a vital part of effective school-based behavioral health care. 97.5% of SBBH providers are actively engaged in consultation with families and school staff; and nearly 90% of deliver behavioral health services directly to parents and caregivers. Whether at home, in school, or in other community environments, strong SBBH partnerships ensure students can access mental health support from both trained professionals and trusted adults alike. Furthermore, 100% of SBBH prevention providers utilize evidence-based programs, reinforcing the reality that high-quality SBBH programs are grounded in well-researched, effective practices that are proven to improve, both, students’ health outcomes and academic performance.

Despite the continued growth of SBBH services, this year’s results also continue to underscore ongoing workforce shortages and funding gaps threatening the sustainability of SBBH programs. Nearly 80% of providers report difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified staff, with salary and funding limitations cited as the top barrier. While the report continues to highlight urgent workforce and funding challenges, it also provides clear recommendations and strategies for policymakers to strengthen and sustain this critical work, including increasing workforce retention efforts; expanding sustainable funding streams; improving infrastructure for telehealth; and growing screening, prevention, and early intervention efforts.

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