After nearly two decades as a clinical social worker…

At the beginning of 2026, I made the decision to return to school to pursue my Doctorate in Behavioral Health at Cummings Graduate Institute. I won’t lie; I’ve questioned my sanity and second-guessed whether I made the right decision. But then I remembered my “why.” This isn’t just about advancing my career; it’s about expanding my impact and helping create policies and educational systems that prioritize youth mental well-being.

Throughout my work with children, families, and communities, I’ve seen firsthand how often behavioral health needs go unmet, especially in small and rural communities. Too many young people are struggling in silence, being misunderstood. In school settings, emotional distress often shows up as behavior problems, attendance issues, or even physical complaints.

That’s what led me to this next chapter in my journey.

What I’m Learning and Why It Matters

As I move through this program, I am developing skills that go beyond traditional clinical training. These are the skills that will allow me to not only support individuals, but also help transform systems of care.

1. Integrating Behavioral Health into School Systems

One of my primary goals is to help embed behavioral health into the culture of schools not just as a reactive response to crisis, but as part of prevention and early intervention.

This means:

• Creating systems where mental health is addressed proactively
• Supporting the “whole child,” including emotional and physical health
• Ensuring students have access to care within environments they already trust

2. Bridging Gaps Between Systems of Care

Another key skill I am enhancing is the ability to connect systems that often operate in silos: education, healthcare, and behavioral health.

In many communities, especially rural ones:

• Schools manage behavior
• Healthcare providers manage physical health
• Behavioral health services are limited or disconnected

This lack of coordination can delay care and worsen outcomes. Integrated care emphasizes collaboration across providers to improve early identification and treatment (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2022).

My goal is to serve as a bridge builder, helping these systems work together in a way that better supports youth and families.

3. Designing Sustainable, Community-Focused Care Models

I’m also gaining the skills to design and implement structured, evidence-based models of care that can actually work in real-world settings.

This includes:

• Creating school-based behavioral health programs
• Developing workflows for screening and referral
• Building models that are sustainable in underserved communities

Too often, great ideas fail because they aren’t designed with the realities of the community in mind. My focus is on creating solutions that are both effective and practical.

Why This Matters for You

Whether you’re a parent, educator, provider, or community member, integrated behavioral health has a direct impact on you.

It means:

• Earlier identification of mental health concerns
• Better communication between providers
• More accessible care for children and families
• Reduced stigma around mental health
• Improved academic and life outcomes for youth

Youth mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation have increased in recent years, highlighting the importance of early and coordinated intervention.

Most importantly, it means that young people are seen and supported for what they’re truly experiencing not just how it shows up on the surface.

Learn More About Integrated Behavioral Health

If you’d like to learn more about integrated behavioral health and how it impacts care, visit:

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
  https://www.samhsa.gov/integrated-health-solutions
• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
  https://integrationacademy.ahrq.gov

These resources provide helpful information on how integrated care improves outcomes for individuals and communities.

The Bigger Picture

My vision is to help create school environments where behavioral health is not an afterthought, but a core part of how we support students. Environments where children feel safe, understood, and supported – academically, emotionally, and physically.

I am extremely passionate about this work. Our youth deserve accessible and quality behavioral health support now more than ever. 

This journey is about more than earning a degree, it’s about becoming the kind of provider who helps reshape systems, expand access, and create meaningful change.

And I’m just getting started!

About the Author

Keyondio (Keke) Lee is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Qualified Supervisor and Doctor of Behavioral Health candidate with a passion for integrating mental health services into school systems. Her work focuses on supporting youth and families in rural and underserved communities through early intervention, collaboration, and sustainable models of care. She is committed to creating systems that prioritize the whole child, emotionally, physically, and academically.