February is National School-Based Health Care Awareness Month, which provides an opportunity to recognize our success and raise awareness about school-based health centers.

This year, the national School-Based Health Alliance is utilizing the theme of the month - Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies - to a topic that is front of mind for many in West Virginia and across the nation, the increasing need for mental health services for children and youth in the wake our the opioid crisis. In a state ravaged by this crisis, this is a message that resonates.

School-Based Health Centers are uniquely suited to provide care to the students and teens whose lives are impacted by this opioid epidemic.

Throughout February, school-based health care providers and advocates from across the country will highlight the mental health needs of children and the role SBHCs play in bringing much needed capacity - especially in rural communities through innovations such as telehealth.

What you can do:

• Today (February 20) at 2:00 PM EST, the School-Based Health Alliance will be hosting a Twitter Chat utilizing the #SBHCmonth18.
• Follow the WVPCA on Facebook and Twitter for daily information about West Virginia's School-Based Health Centers.
• Share your SBH stories.

Check out more information and ideas for School-Based Health Care Awareness Month here.