Youth mental health in the United States has reached a critical juncture. The crisis is no longer looming – it's here, affecting millions of students nationwide. Alarming data underscores the gravity of the situation: mental health challenges have become the leading cause of death and disability among youth and adolescents. The COVID-19 pandemic has only intensified this emergency, leaving a lasting impact on our youngest generation.
According to the 2022 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report, nearly one in five children and youth aged 3-17 in the United States experiences some form of mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder. The data reveals a concerning rise in suicidal behaviors among high school students, including ideation, planning, and attempts, which increased by more than 40% between 2009 and 2019. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration additionally reports that more than 1 in 20 young people aged 12 and over currently suffer from depression.
As we continue to bring these issues to light and work to address this growing problem, school-based mental health programs have emerged as essential solutions for providing support where it is most needed: within the educational environment itself.
The Role of School-Based Mental Health Programs
Given that children and youth spend a significant portion of their time in school, educational institutions play a crucial role in providing mental health support. Integrating mental health services within schools has shown promising results, leading to improved social, emotional, behavioral, and academic outcomes. Several states have already taken steps to incorporate mental health measures within their school systems:
- Maryland: Embedding mental health infrastructure, training, and implementation support into the state school safety budget.
- Massachusetts: Establishing a statewide school mental health consortium to enhance shared learning and networking across districts.
- Minnesota: Utilizing local school mental health impact data to advocate for statewide funding from state government and Medicaid leaders.
- Wisconsin: Using federal funding to develop a state school mental health framework.
And while there is growing recognition of the importance of mental health support in schools, resources remain limited. In fact, many school systems face the challenge of having inadequate numbers of mental health professionals. During the 2021-22 school year, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) found that there was approximately just one psychologist for every 1,127 students, far fewer than NASP's recommended ratio of one per 500 students. It's the primary reason Carelon Behavioral Health now offers a Student Assistance Program within our capabilities portfolio.
Multidisciplinary Teams: A Model for Success
One promising approach to overcoming these limitations is the use of multidisciplinary teams within the framework of care coordination. These teams typically consist of school and community mental health professionals, health workers, and educational staff working in partnership to offer a comprehensive continuum of mental health services. The goal is to bridge gaps in student mental health treatment and support their well-being through interconnected, evidence-based interventions.
Programs utilizing the multidisciplinary team model have demonstrated positive results. For example, a program in Rhode Island reported significant improvements in youth outcomes, including fewer hospitalizations for mental health care, reduced psychiatric emergency visits, better social functioning, increased control over their lives, and enhanced academic performance. The Center for Applied Research Solutions supports these findings, reporting that 91% of studies reviewed indicated students experienced improved academic outcomes as a result of mental health treatment interventions.
A Vision for the Future
Implementing and expanding school-based mental health programs can transform the U.S. educational system into an environment that not only fosters academic learning but also promotes the overall development of youth holistically, inclusive of mental health and well-being of every student. When schools adopt such models, they create supportive spaces where prevention, early intervention, and treatment of mental health issues become seamlessly integrated into the daily lives of young people.
Addressing youth mental health through school-based programs is a proven pathway to improved academic success and long-term well-being for students. The evidence is clear: effective mental health support within schools can change lives. Investing in school-based mental health programs today will build a healthier, more resilient future for our younger generations.
Briana Duffy is the Interim President for Carelon Behavioral Health, part of the Elevance Health family of brands.