Study Demonstrates Reduced Youth Violence and Improved School Success and Mental Health Through School Based Mental Health Services
Evidence is emerging that school-based mental health services are an effective and cost efficient way to improve school performance and mental health and reduce behavioral problems. To assess the effectiveness of school based mental health (SBMH) services to provide these outcomes in students, a five year study was conducted in a rural school district. From the 2001 to the 2002 school year, students participating in SBMH had significantly improved school attendance (from approximately 4600 to 4200 days absent). This project demonstrated that school based mental health services improved student well-being, behavior and school success, while showing a significant decrease in the initial presenting mental health symptoms, violence and other behavior problems at home and at school.
In a time when resources are scarce and problems are many, professionals are
choosing evidence-based practices to improve outcomes related to services.
Evidence is emerging that school-based mental health services are an effective
and cost efficient way to improve school performance and mental health and
reduce behavioral problems. To assess the effectiveness of school based mental
health (SBMH) services to provide these outcomes in students from Pre-K - 12th
grades, Robert Schmidt, MA and Kathryn Seifert, Ph.D. collaborated on the
evaluation of outcomes for a SBMH program for a mid-Atlantic rural school
district.
The project began in 1999 after a Federal grant was awarded to
the school district. The children's scores on the Devereaux, BASC, CARE and
several school measures such as absenteeism, disciplinary referrals, and
suspensions were measured from the beginning of services and at the beginning
and end of each school year. Youth were referred to the project from teachers,
guidance counselors, parents, student self-referrals and other agencies such as
the Departments of Social Services and Juvenile Services of which resulted in
1,247 SBMH referrals during a five-year period.
From 1999 to 2004, 36% of
these students were referred because of symptoms of depression, 26% because of
family problems, and 24% because of behavior problems. There were 84 referrals
to the program in 1999, compared to 437 students in 2002 and 239 students in
2003. Peak referral times were consistently observed during the months of
October and February. Youth in the transition years of sixth and ninth grades
were referred to the program most often. More Caucasian females participated in
the project than any other ethnic/gender group. In 2000, 2,132 mental health
sessions were provided, in contrast to an amazing 15,763 sessions during the
2003/04 school year.
A group of one hundred thirty-two students who
participated in the program showed significantly improved attitudes toward
teachers and school, decreased mental health symptoms, and increased self-esteem
after one year of services. From the 2001 to the 2002 school year, students
participating in SBMH had significantly improved school attendance (from
approximately 4600 to 4200 days absent). One hundred seventy-eight students had
a significant (49%) decrease in disciplinary referrals and violence related
disciplinary referrals from the 2001 to the 2002 school year. One hundred
thirty-four participants had a significant decrease (54%) in suspensions from
school. Parents of 103 students reported that their children were having
significantly fewer problems after receiving services. Ninety-nine youth
self-reported significantly improved commitment to school, interpersonal
relationships and self-esteem, as well as fewer stress related problems. Two
hundred fifty students reported significantly reduced school maladjustment and
clinical maladjustment and improved attitudes toward parents and emotional
well-being.
This project demonstrated that school based mental health
services improved student well-being, behavior and school success, while showing
a significant decrease in the initial presenting mental health symptoms,
violence and other behavior problems at home and at school. Although these
services and study enter into it?s sixth year and is on-going, other
school-based mental health services must be provided, expanded, and studied.
This project provides a framework for improved student health/success and
decreased school violence while positively enhancing the community of which we
live, work and play.
# # #
Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/10/prweb166552.htm