Evidence Based Mental Health Education

We advocate and support the dissemination and implementation of evidence based school and after-school mental health education programs, interventions and practices. Many children and adolescents struggle with their conditions in silence. They don’t know where to turn or how to ask for help, and they often feel afraid of rejection or potential consequences. This problem can result in numerous issues. Mental health problems often emerge as behavioral problems in the school setting. The child with anxiety might not finish his homework or speak up in class. The child with depression may present as irritable and bully other children on the playground.

While treatment and medication play critical roles in tackling mental health, the importance and necessity of school and community mental health education cannot be overstated.  School and community based mental health education provide necessary awareness and resources for children and adolescents, and help break the stigma associated with mental health. Additionally, school and community based mental health education can promote efforts for treatment and recovery.  Teachers and community health workers should receive adequate training in mental health.

Evidence based school and after-school mental health education focuses on using the best available evidence in making decisions about prevention, promotion and intervention in schools and in community settings. Although schools and communities can improve children’s access to mental health services, not all school and after school mental education providers are able to successfully deliver evidence-based practices, due to the limited dissemination of non-clinical evidence based mental health education programs, interventions and practices in school and community settings.