BASIC: Better Attitudes and Skills in Children

BASIC is an award-winning school-based mental health prevention and early intervention program for children.

BASIC promotes mental health by identifying children at risk of serious emotional disorders and referring them to treatment.

BASIC is for children who attend one of the 64 Tennessee elementary schools with the BASIC program.

BASIC offers mental health education through direct classroom interaction with children and through work with teachers, coaching them on strategies to promote social emotional development of children.

BASIC staff operate full time in selected elementary schools. BASIC staff aim to improve the school environment and to provide mental health education through classroom interaction.

If your child’s school has the BASIC program, a letter will be sent home at the beginning of the school year with information about the program. If you are unsure about the status of BASIC at your child’s school, please contact the school’s principal.