Recent research points to public schools as the major providers of mental health services for school-aged children. The current study, "School Mental Health Services in the United States, 2002-2003," provides the first national survey of mental health services in a representative sample of the approximately 83,000 public elementary, middle, and high schools, and their associated school districts in the United States. The purpose of the study was to identify: (1) The mental health problems most frequently encountered in the U.S. public school setting and the mental health services delivered; (2) The administrative arrangements for the delivery and coordination of mental health services in schools; (3) The types and qualifications of staff providing mental health services in schools; and (4) Issues related to funding, budgeting and resource allocation, and use of data regarding mental health services. The findings of the study provide new information about the role of schools in providing mental health services, and how these services are organized, staffed, funded, and coordinated. While survey findings indicate that schools are responding to the mental health needs of their students, they also suggest increasing needs for mental health services and the multiple challenges faced by schools in addressing these needs. More research is needed to explore issues identified by this study, including training of school staff delivering mental health services, adequacy of funding, and effectiveness of specific services delivered in the school setting. (Contains 30 exhibits and 63 tables. The following are appended: (1) School Mental Health Services in the United States, 2002-2003 Expert Panel; (2) Summary of Open-Ended Responses; and (3) Supplemental Tables.)