Schools have been identified as a primary place where youth mental health issues are initially noticed. When schools collaborate with mental health service providers to refer youth to care, these youth experience improvement in both educational and clinical outcomes. However, such collaboration can be challenging. This dissertation explored the acceptability, adoptability, and appropriateness of implementing an external mental health referral process within several schools in an intermediate school district. Qualitative key informant interviews were used to identify barriers and facilitators to implementing an external mental health referral pathway. Key informants included school and agency personnel. Twenty-three themes and three subthemes were identified. Results indicated that implementing an external mental health referral pathway was mostly acceptable, adoptable, and appropriate. Implications for practice, research, and clinical practice are discussed.
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