 |
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
|
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Sara Peterson, MPH, Samira Soleimanpour, MPH, and Claire Brindis, DrPH. Center for Reproductive Health Research and Policy, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California Street, Suite 265, San Francisco, CA 94143-0936, 415-476-0746, sara@itsa.ucsf.edu
Findings from a comprehensive process and outcome evaluation of seven adolescent school-based health centers (SBHCs) show that they have potential to improve student mental health status. Survey data of 1,092 students revealed significant unmet mental health needs. While most (84%) reported good physical health and strong protective factors such as friends (73%), hobbies (60%), family (58%) and school (40%), many also indicated mental health problems. Students reported that several times during the past month they had felt stressed or nervous (35%), depressed or sad (30%); and had trouble sleeping (24%). Twenty-one percent had felt so depressed and hopeless about the future that they seriously considered attempting suicide. During student focus groups, peer pressure or “fitting in” and family problems were described as the most serious social challenges.
The SBHCs address student needs by providing medical, mental health and health education services. Over one-third (35%) of visits made by 2,321 students were for mental health services. Nearly half (44%) of mental health clients made four or more visits, demonstrating the continuity of care provided by the SBHCs. Mental health clients most often received individual counseling (63%), assessment/intake (12%), case management (12%), and crisis intervention (6%) services. Topics covered most frequently included school/education, family relations, peers, communication and depression/suicide.
Data collection mechanisms have been implemented to capture changes in SBHC clients’ mental health outcomes through a newly developed Client Risk Assessment Survey. The evaluation findings will help improve school and community understanding of the need for and quality of SBHC services.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Mental Health Services
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.