School-based mental health is essential to student success, as many students come to school carrying stress, anxiety, and unmet emotional needs that directly impact their ability to learn. High-quality mental health programs go beyond crisis response by creating accessible, integrated, culturally responsive, and sustainable systems of support that foster resilience, belonging, and well-being. When effectively implemented, these programs improve attendance, behavior, and academic outcomes while helping students feel safe and supported. This work also requires caring for educators and building strong partnerships among schools, families, and communities. Moving forward, the priority is to turn knowledge into action by strengthening systems so that mental health becomes a foundational part of education, not an afterthought.