Denver Health Expands School-Based Mental Health Centers

Student mental health needs rise, with more students in crisis at younger ages

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Denver Public Schools are seeing a rise in student mental health needs, with more students experiencing anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, and school avoidance, especially among younger children. In response, Denver Health is expanding its school-based health centers within the district to provide more mental health services and meet the growing demand.

Why it matters

The increase in student mental health needs is a concerning trend, as unaddressed issues can lead to long-term challenges. Expanding access to school-based mental health services helps remove barriers to care and provides critical support to students who may not otherwise receive it.

The details

Denver Health currently operates school-based health centers in 19 DPS schools, providing both physical and behavioral healthcare. The centers are seeing a rise in the number of students seeking help, as well as the severity of their needs. To address this, Denver Health is shifting to a tiered model of care, expanding services to reach students with mild issues before they escalate, while still serving those with the most acute needs.

  • Last year, Denver Health's Therapeutic Response and Urgent Stabilization Team saw over 500 visits, with referrals for children as young as 7 years old.
  • Denver Public Schools and Denver Health are currently in the planning phase to add another school-based health center, with the goal of opening it for the 2027-2028 school year.

The players

Meredith Fatseas

DPS director of mental health & student well-being.

Danielle Vice

Denver Health director of school-based integrated behavioral health services.

Denver Public Schools

The school district partnering with Denver Health to expand school-based mental health services.

Denver Health

A healthcare provider operating school-based health centers within Denver Public Schools.

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What they’re saying

“Our school social workers and school psychologists are mental health providers in our schools. They are overwhelmed.”

— Meredith Fatseas, DPS director of mental health & student well-being (denver7.com)

“More recently, we have really seen an increase in the need across all of our student population, but also the severity and acuity, particularly for our younger kids.”

— Meredith Fatseas, DPS director of mental health & student well-being (denver7.com)

“Currently, we're serving students who are the most acute and have the most chronic mental health issues. We're really looking at shifting our model a little bit so that we're going to have a tiered level of care.”

— Danielle Vice, Denver Health director of school-based integrated behavioral health services (denver7.com)

What’s next

Denver Public Schools and Denver Health are currently in the planning phase to add another school-based health center, with the goal of opening it for the 2027-2028 school year.

The takeaway

Addressing the rise in student mental health needs is crucial for supporting the well-being and academic success of young people. Expanding access to school-based mental health services helps remove barriers to care and provides critical support to students who may not otherwise receive it.