I have been in the field of education for 15 years and have been actively involved in advocacy for the last 10 years. In my experience, advocacy success (no matter the topic) is anchored by a coalition of supporters, and size matters! 

In the intricate web of a school's support system, collaboration among professionals is essential for fostering a holistic and comprehensive approach to student wellness. School psychologists, school social workers, and school counselors play crucial roles in addressing the mental and behavioral health needs of students. To optimize the impact of advocacy efforts, it is vital for school psychologists to effectively engage with social workers and counselors to form a united front in promoting equitable mental and behavioral health initiatives at the local and state levels. Below are some tips that I have personally found beneficial when working with my school-employed mental health colleagues to increase our advocacy leverage. 

Establish Open Lines of Communication

Communication is the cornerstone of any successful collaboration. School psychologists should meet regularly with social workers and school counselors to discuss the current mental health climate within the school, share insights, and exchange information about specific cases. These meetings should expand to the respective state associations. Often this can be facilitated through direct conversations or use of the local CASE (Council of Administrators of Special Education). It has also been beneficial to create a liaison position for these organizations on your state association's GPR/Legislative committee. Open lines of communication foster a shared understanding of students' needs and pave the way for collaborative problem-solving. Although our jobs are different, we are all on the same team with the same goal of supporting students and their best interests!

Define Clear Roles and Responsibilities

Clearly outlining the roles and responsibilities of each professional helps prevent duplication of efforts and ensures that all aspects of a student's mental and behavioral health are addressed comprehensively. Develop a framework that delineates the specific contributions of school psychologists, social workers, and school counselors, allowing each professional to leverage their unique skills and expertise. This will allow local and state leaders to understand the similarities and uniqueness of our roles and why each role is important within schools. 

Participate in Cross-Training Opportunities

Cross-training initiatives can bridge the gap between the different disciplines within the school support system. School psychologists can attend training sessions with school social workers and school counselors to gain insight into their respective roles, challenges, and strategies. This mutual understanding promotes a more cohesive and coordinated approach to supporting students' mental health. The more we understand about each other's professions, the more common knowledge we have, and increased common knowledge strengthens our advocacy abilities. 

Collaborate on Intervention Strategies

Pooling resources and expertise can lead to more effective intervention. School psychologists, school social workers, and school counselors should collaborate to develop and implement evidence-based interventions tailored to the specific needs of students. Sharing successful intervention stories can inspire confidence in the team's collective ability to make a positive impact and can serve as leverage during your elevator speech with your state and local leaders. 

Advocate for Comprehensive Mental and Behavioral Health Policies

School psychologists can spearhead advocacy efforts for comprehensive mental and behavioral health policies within the school. By collaborating with school social workers and school counselors, they can present a unified front to school administrators and policy makers, emphasizing the importance of allocating needed resources to mental health and capacity-building initiatives. A well-organized advocacy campaign can lead to increased funding and support for mental health and graduate training programs.

Use Data to Drive Decision-Making

Data-driven decision-making is a powerful tool in advocating for increased mental and behavioral health supports. School psychologists can work with school social workers and school counselors to collect and analyze relevant data, demonstrating the prevalence and impact of mental health issues within the school community. This evidence-based approach strengthens the case for additional resources. Local and state leaders want to hear and understand the numbers so they can better respond to the needs of their constituents. Your coalition can bring the numbers to life and use a story to explain them and make them more powerful. 

Promote a Culture of Wellness

Foster a culture of wellness within the school by working together to organize awareness campaigns, workshops, and events that highlight the importance of mental and behavioral health. Collaborate with school social workers and school counselors to develop initiatives that promote positive mental and behavioral health practices among students, staff, and parents. A proactive approach to mental health can prevent issues from escalating and requiring more intensive interventions. Working together to support school staff and parents also helps to obtain buy-in regarding the importance of students' social and emotional functioning in their academic progress and overall growth. Celebrate each other's awareness weeks via social media platforms and advocacy campaigns to elected officials. This may include celebrating the weeks when school psychologists, school social workers, and school counselors are highlighted nationally, by sharing in the celebration via social media platforms and participating in advocacy campaigns.

In conclusion, effective collaboration between school psychologists, school social workers, and school counselors is essential for advocating and implementing increased mental health support in schools, and it is a long-held tradition between practitioners and our professional associations (see NASP's joint statement with ASCA and SSWAA on an Effective School Staffing Model). By establishing open communication, defining clear roles, participating in cross-training, collaborating on interventions, advocating for policies, using data, and promoting a culture of wellness, these professionals can create a unified front that enhances the overall well-being of students within the school community.