Expanded school mental health (ESMH)

Initiative Description: Expanded school mental health (ESMH) is a comprehensive system of mental health services and programs that builds on core services typically provided by schools. The framework includes the full continuum of prevention, early intervention and treatment.
Once consent was received, the clinicians began providing the appropriate mental health services to the student.
The ESMH approach used in this study provided the bulk of services in the form of individual, group, and/or family therapy on-site at the school.

Study Results:Results demonstrated differences between groups over time on measures of suspensions and attendance

Reference: Ballard, K. L., Sander, M. A., & Klimes-dougan, B. (2014). School-related and social-emotional outcomes of providing mental health services in schools. Community Mental Health Journal, 50(2), 145-9. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10597-013-9670-y

Level of Evidence: Very Good