As a group of strategies, mental health promotion may better serve the needs
of children than the treatment of a mental disorder already manifested. The school
setting is more amenable to promotion than treatment, and more aligned with the
mission of schools as well for several reasons. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss
two of the criteria often involved in the complex decisional matrix involved in resource
allocation regarding mental health outcomes: 1) which option provides the best outcome
for the investment and 2) which alternative conveys the highest probability of accurate
diagnosis/effective treatment selection. Finally, a case study involving mental health
promotion strategies in schools to support and assist in the reduction of
symptomatology in a diagnosed mental disorder is provided.
Keywords: Intervention, mental health promotion, mental health treatment,
school counseling, selective mutism.
