This lecture will provide an essential overview of pediatric mental health, focusing on common conditions encountered in the school setting, such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD. It will highlight the critical role of school nurses as frontline identifiers of mental health concerns, given their frequent and trusted interactions with students. The educational need for school nurses stems from the increasing prevalence of mental health challenges in youth, often manifesting as physical symptoms that school nurses are uniquely positioned to recognize. Many school nurses report feeling unprepared to adequately address these complex needs due to limited specialized training. This lecture will equip them with practical strategies for early identification, basic assessment, and appropriate referral pathways, emphasizing their crucial role in supporting student well-being and fostering a more integrated mental health support system within schools