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Supporting Child and Student Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Mental Health Needs.
United States. Department of Education.
Federal Publication/Policy
Technical Report
99 p.
Public Domain
Published: October 19, 2021
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20202
Tel: 800-872-5327
Fax: 202-401-0689
TDD/TTY: 800-437-0833
Available From:http://www.ed.gov
Download: https://www2.ed.gov/documents/students/supporting-child-student-social-emotional-behavioral-mental-health.pdf
This federal report highlights seven key challenges to providing school- or program-based mental health support across early childhood, K-12 schools, and higher education and presents seven corresponding recommendations. It begins by discussing the prevalence of mental health challenges in children and youth, the benefits of school-linked mental health services, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in exacerbating a mental health crisis. The challenges discussed include the rising mental health needs and disparities among children and student groups, the perceived stigma that creates a barrier to accessing mental health services, ineffective implementation of practices, fragmented delivery systems, policy and funding gaps, gaps in professional development and support, and lack of access to usable data to guide implementation decisions. Recommendations presented include: prioritize wellness for each and every child, students, educator, and provider; enhance mental health literacy and reduce stigma and other barriers to access; implement a continuum of evidence-based prevention practices; establish an integrated framework of educational, social, emotional, and behavioral-health support for all; leverage policy and funding; enhance workforce capacity; and use data for decision-making to promote equitable implementation and outcomes. The appendix includes numerous examples corresponding to the recommendations highlighting implementation efforts throughout the country, a list of federal resource centers, a list of resource to assist educators in implementing the recommendations, and guidance on existing programs that can support social, emotional, and mental health services for students. Numerous references.
Keywords:
COVID-19; DISASTER RESPONSE; MENTAL HEALTH; CHILD HEALTH; MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES; WELL BEING; EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS; EMOTIONAL ADJUSTMENT; BEHAVIORAL PSYCHOLOGY; BEHAVIOR; SCHOOL CHILDREN; SCHOOLS; SCHOOL PERSONNEL; TEACHERS ROLE; PROFESSIONALS ROLE