Understanding expanded school mental health services in Baltimore City.
This article explores the nature of expanded school mental health (ESMH) services in Baltimore City, which at the time of the study were incorporated into 40% of the city's public schools. A provider survey was distributed to ESMH clinicians to gather information on the characteristics of service providers and recipients, types of services being provided, and their proposed outcomes. Provider reports indicated an impressive service capacity, augmentation of traditional school-based services, and the continual need for increased mental health service hours in their buildings. In addition, the most frequently voiced benefits of the ESMH programs were increased mental health awareness and improved school climate. Implications of the findings for future programming development and research are discussed.
Walrath
Christine M
CM
ORC Macro and Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, USA.
Bruns
Eric J
EJ
Anderson
Karyn L
KL
Glass-Siegal
Marcia
M
Weist
Mark D
MD
D000293:Adolescent; D015142:Baltimore; D002648:Child; D005380:Financing, Government; D005522:Food Services / Q000592:standards; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002666:Psychology, Child / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data