Students' mental health and wellness is an indicator of educational engagement and academic success. Studies have shown that school-based behavioral health interventions result in improved educational outcomes. In addition, research shows that access to school-based health centers increases student participation in mental health services and may improve overall child wellness, including health and education outcomes. In a time when approximately 7.7 million children ages 6 to 17 experience a mental health disorder each year and students consistently report high levels of stress, depression and anxiety, and youth suicide rates continue to rise, effective school-based interventions can have a positive impact on student outcomes. Despite the presence of these mental health challenges among school-age youths and the benefits of mental health services, estimates suggest that most students do not receive the treatment they need. Of the students who access treatment, the vast majority begin receiving support services, or are identified as needing additional support, at school -- underscoring the crucial role education systems can play in addressing students' mental health needs. For these reasons and more, student mental and behavioral health has been a priority of state education leaders in recent years. This Policy Brief highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated student mental health challenges, illustrates a common framework for student mental health services and summarizes state legislative trends in supporting students to prevent, identify, and address student mental health in schools.