Some engage in high-risk behaviors. Others need help with emotional
skills. Many are affected by mental disorders. While every school has
its share of students needing comprehensive mental health services,
personnel struggle to address these needs effectively in an era of
scarce resources and dwindling budgets.
Preventive Mental Health at School gives school-based practitioners
and researchers an accessible, nuanced guide to implementing and
improving real-world proactive programs and replacing outmoded service
models. Based firmly in systems thinking and an ecological-public health
approach, the book outlines the skills needed for choosing
evidence-based interventions that are appropriate for all students, and
for coordinating prevention efforts among staff, educators, and
administration. As schools become more and more diverse, school-based
practitioners must become knowledgeable in regard to the critical racial
and cultural differences that affect students, their families, and
enrich our schools. Research currently available to help meet the needs
of various groups of children and their families is included as each
topic is addressed. In addition, the author provides a theoretical
groundwork and walks readers through the details of assessing resources
and needs, applying knowledge to practice, and evaluating progress.
Instructive case examples show these processes in action, and further
chapters address questions of adapting programs already in place for
greater developmental or cultural appropriateness.
Included in the coverage:
- Student engagement, motivation, and active learning.
- Engaging families through school and family partnerships.
- Evidence-based prevention of internalizing disorders.
- Social emotional learning.
- Adapting programs for various racial and ethnic populations.
- Adapting programs for young children.
Preventive Mental Health at School offers solid guidance and
transformative tools to researchers, graduate students, and
professionals/practitioners/clinicians in varied fields including
clinical child and school psychology, social work, public health and
policy, educational policy and politics, and pediatrics.
