This paper explores why integrated efforts to include mental health in schools are important and what is involved in such an effort. In order to deal with the full continuum of school mental health concerns, a comprehensive, integrated approach is required.. To be comprehensive, the mental health focus of school based centers must be multifaceted and offer: direct services and instruction; coordination, development, and leadership related to programs, services, resources, and systems; and enhanced connections with community resources. The paper focuses on three issues: (1) integrating mental health activity to maximize resource use and effectiveness (within the school-based health center, with school programs and personnel, and with the community); (2) developing mechanisms to promote integration and address challenges (management of care, management of resources, and multischool integration); and (3) creating an integrated continuum (systems of prevention, systems of early intervention, and systems of care). A survey for analyzing system status is included. (Contains 33 references.) (SM)