DISCOVERING YOUR BEST STUDENT

Did you know:

According to the Surgeon General, in the course of a year approximately 20% of children and adolescents in the U.S. experience signs and symptoms of mental health problems
The dropout rate for students with severe emotional and behavioral needs is approximately twice that of other students (Lehr et al., 2004)
The U.S. Surgeon General, considers schools to be a major setting for the potential recognition of mental disorders in children and adolescents
Students are substantially more likely to seek help when school-based mental health services are available (Slade, 2002)

BENEFITS OF MENTAL HEALTH WELLNESS PROGRAM

Students who receive social-emotional support and prevention services achieve better academically in school (Greenberg et al., 2003; Welsh et al., 2001; Zins et al., 2004)
A recent major study revealed that higher levels of school bonding and better social, emotional, and decision-making skills predict higher standardized test scores and grades (Fleming et al., 2005)
Expanded school mental health services in elementary schools have been found to reduce special education referrals, improve aspects of the school climate (Bruns et al., 2004), and produce declines in disciplinary referrals, suspension, grade retention, and special education referrals and placement among at-risk students (Shonkoff & Phillips, 2000)

What can administrators do?

Partnership with Intertwined, LLC to bring affordable and accessible psychological services to the school community; create a space at your school
Open the school doors to empowering educational workshops that are trauma sensitive and teach students skills about thoughts and emotions
Encourage parents and students to seek help from a licensed mental health professional when experiencing emotional distress and/or sensitive life situations
Consult with licensed mental healthcare professionals and provide educational mental health workshops for teaching staff and parents.