Dr. Adams will break down the 2021 report from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services into actionable steps for school administrators and school teams to support the mental health needs of children, students, and educators. This report is entitled Supporting Child and Student Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Mental Health Needs.
The report documents how the mental health crisis in the United States is at a critical point. The pandemic has exacerbated already alarming trends in the mental health needs of children and students. There is a unique opportunity to reconceptualize the role of schools and programs in creating nurturing environments in our schools to address the mental health needs and overall well-being of children, students, and adults. This resource highlighted seven key challenges to providing school and program mental health supports and presented seven corresponding recommendations, which include:
- Prioritize Wellness for Each and Every Child, Student, Educator, and Provider
- Enhance Mental Health Literacy and Reduce Stigma and Other Barriers to Access
- Implement 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
- Use Data for Decision Making to Promote
- Obtain Equitable Implementation and Outcomes
(rep.). U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Supporting Child and Student Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Mental Health Needs, Washington, DC, 2021.
