Results From a Statewide School-Based Mental Health Program: Effects on School Climate

Abstract

Nationally, school-based mental health (SBMH) is seen as an avenue to increase access to children’s mental health services and promote mental health awareness. The current article describes the implementation of a statewide SBMH program focusing on partnerships between community-based providers and local school systems, with providers embedded within schools to address needs of children with mental health concerns and promote mental health awareness. A quasi-experimental study with 718 public schools using propensity score matching and analysis of covariance compared schools involved in the program (n = 359) with those not involved (n = 359) on the outcome of school climate. Key findings include a positive impact of the program on school climate, F(1, 712) = 17.90, B = 0.30, p < .01, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.16, 0.44], ηp 2 = .03, including a greater decrease in discipline incidents over time, F(1, 709) = 9.35, B = 3.12, p < .01, 95% CI [1.12, 5.12], ηp 2 = .01, after controlling for potential confounders (e.g., baseline school climate, percentage receiving free/reduced price lunch, school type, rural status). The study suggests that cross-sector, integrated SBMH programs connecting children, families, schools, and communities can contribute to healthy, enriching environments where children can grow and learn.