Integrating Psychological Counseling into National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Programs: Insights and Recommendations from Current Practices

Abstract

The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program is a residential, quasi-military program for youth ages 16 to 18 who are experiencing academic or behavioral difficulties in traditional high school. Mental health disorders are an increasing concern among adolescents, and the youth served by ChalleNGe may be particularly at risk for mental health disorders. To better understand how ChalleNGe can support cadets with mental health disorders, RAND researchers conducted interviews with counselors from six ChalleNGe sites and surveyed 39 ChalleNGe sites about their counseling services and cadets' mental health needs in 2019. The survey found that the majority (65 percent) of the sites considered cadets' mental health disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety) during the application process. In addition, a significant proportion of cadets are taking medication for mental health disorders while completing ChalleNGe. Counselor interviews indicated that there are substantial variations in counseling services across sites, including different staffing models, different ways for cadets to access counseling services, and different ways in which counseling services are integrated into a site's day-to-day operations. Based on the findings, the authors made four recommendations: (1) implement flexible staffing models that include at least one licensed counselor to meet the needs of the cadets and the sites, (2) establish an integrated counseling department in which counselors and other staff (e.g., teachers, cadre) work hand-in-hand to support cadets' mental health, (3) partner with community mental health providers to train and support staff, and (4) use evidence-based counseling practices to ensure high-quality and effective mental health services.