Using Behavioral Health Frameworks to Support Student Health
by Linda B. Sheriff, Deputy Director at The Center for Health and Health Care in Schoo
As anticipated by many, schools are now facing an increase in social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. The traumatic events of the COVID-19 pandemic and the stress, grief, and loss it has caused can lead to numerous emotional and behavioral responses in students and staff, such as depressive symptoms and anxiety, difficulties with self-regulation, regression or loss of previously acquired skills and other academic or attention difficulties.
To support the health and well-being of everyone within the school community, many schools are adding mental and physical health services. But this is also an opportunity to review the school ecosystem and infrastructure and incorporate comprehensive behavioral health and social-emotional learning (SEL) frameworks throughout the school to provide more effective and sustainable supports for students, staff, and families. These are system level, organizing frames that can combine multiple programs and curriculums to enhance capacity and efficiency and improve outcomes. Continue reading.
