Nuestros niņos, nuestro futuro: Cognitive behavioral intervention for trauma in schools

Background/Objectives: Children increasingly are exposed to or victims of community and family violence and may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other mental health issues as a result. However most children with mental health issues are not detected and do not receive treatment. This project replicated a school-based intervention for trauma, Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS), in 5th to 8th graders of a Milwaukee charter school. Methods: Eligibility criteria included having experienced at least one traumatic life event as and having PTSD. 231 children were screened of whom 102 were enrolled in the intervention. Interventions consisted of 10 group sessions, one to three individual sessions and educational meetings held for parents. Students completed the Child PTSD Symptom Scale and the Children's Depression Inventory at baseline, immediately post-intervention, 3- and 6-moth follow-up. Results: All screened children showed a very high prevalence of traumatic life events, with 47% reporting seven or more traumatic life events, 60% reporting having been threatened, slapped or beaten up, and 28% reporting having seen someone stabbed, shot or threatened with a gun . Children completing the intervention showed significant decreases in PTSD at 3- and 6-month (3-month t(41)=4.71, p<.001; 6-month t(30)=3.65, p<.01). Children also experienced statistically significant reductions in depression scores (M=1.33, SD=0.29, t(30)=2.78, p<.01) between baseline and 3-month follow-up. Conclusions: The CBITS intervention was effective in reducing PTSD and depression symptoms among children who experienced traumatic life events. Schools are a highly accessible and acceptable setting to provide mental health interventions.