Oral

This session abstract #290133 speaks directly to the identified, unmet mental health needs in school-aged urban youth. In 2009, the YRBS (Youth Risk Behavioral Survey) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was administered to all ninth graders at an inner-city high school in New Haven, CT. Data from this survey demonstrated that these adolescents were experiencing a burgeoning mental health crisis, sounding alarm for immediate and effective action. To this end, each of the four presentations within this session focuses on a particular aspect of the mental health program (assessing, planning, intervening, evaluating) that taken together, gives cohesion to the processes necessary for the successful outcomes in addressing the overwhelming needs of our city youth. This session has wide local, national, and international significance, consistent with the conference theme, "Think Global, Act Local."

Session Objectives: Explain the need to identify and address the unmet mental health needs of urban youth. List behavioral manifestations that indicate the school-aged child may be experience undue stress.Describe innovative trauma-informed programs implemented in public schools.