School-aged adolescents spend much of their time in school. That is why this study highlights the importance of school and work to adolescents presenting for mental health services. Mining data from a clinical intake questionnaire for adolescents (Adquest), this study sought to better understand the worlds of school and work in the lives of these adolescents. The study attempts to demonstrate how knowledge of adolescent risk factors associated with education and work, such as truancy and problems at work can create therapeutic engagement opportunities. The study describes the prevalence of academic and employment risk factors in this population, their correlations with other high-risk activities, and the desire of these adolescents to talk about school and work. The study provides significant evidence that urban, low-income, and minority youth are motivated to work and need to be provided with appropriate work opportunities. This is one reason why mental health practitioners may need to more actively step out of their traditional roles of counseling to include greater advocacy for their young clients, maximizing educational and work opportunities which are essential to mental health. References