About This Guide

School Nurse’s Mental Health Toolkit

America’s children spend nearly 1,000 hours a year in school. Who do these kids go to when experiencing mental health distress?

A school nurse.

This toolkit was born from a collaboration in Virginia between school nurses and pediatricians to learn and partner together to support children and families with evidence-based tools.

The toolkit is owned by the Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The Resource for Advancing Children’s Health Institute was instrumental in content writing. Special thanks to Lisa Hunter Romanelli, PhD.

Virginia schools can order a copy of the toolkit for their health clinic or download a digital copy from the VDH School Health webpage.

Acknowledgments and Gratitude

Virginia Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics School and Mental Health Committees:

  • Jacqueline Cotton, MD, FAAP, project lead, Mental Health Committee Co-Chair
  • Leah Rowland, MD, FAAP, project lead, School Health Committee Co-Chair
  • Percita Ellis, MD, FAAP, VA-AAP Vice President, Rural Health Champion
  • John Farrell, MD, FAAP, School Health Committee Co-Chair
  • Paula Fergusson, MD, FAAP R.
  • Emily Gonzalez, PhD, Immigration Health Co-Chair
  • Amy Harden, MD, FAAP, Southwest Virginia VA-AAP Delegate
  • Paige Perriello, MD, FAAP, VA-AAP Delegate for Independent Practices
  • Kristina Powell, MD, FAAP, Immediate-past VA-AAP Vice President
  • Bethany Geldmaker, PhD, PNP, VA-AAP grant administrator
  • Tammy Shackelford, administrative lead, Virginia Mental Health Access Program

School nurse leadership contributors

  • Joanna Pitts, BSN, RN, NCSN, CNOR (lead)
  • Angela Knupp, BSN, RN
  • Tammy Miller, BSN, RN, QMHP
  • Heather “Shea” Pugh, BSN, RN, NCSN
  • Design by Raven Herrera, Claire Hudson, Marketing & Communications
  • Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters

This resource is supported in part by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $1,167,341 with 20% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov. This resource is being made available by the VA-AAP to the general public and is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this resource should not necessarily be construed to be the views or policy of the VA-AAP, or any partners in this work. The information in this resource is believed to be accurate. However, the VA-AAP does not make any warranty regarding the accuracy or completeness of any information provided. The information is provided as-is and VA-AAP and its partners expressly disclaim any liability resulting from use of this information. The information in this resource is not, and should not be relied on as medical, legal, or other professional advice, and readers are encouraged to consult a professional advisor for any such advice. In addition, this resource is not a substitute for the exercise of one’s independent professional judgment, which shall be exercised in the sole discretion of the individual. No part of this resource may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the VA-AAP.