Key Elements of a Successful Multi-System Collaboration for School-Based Mental Health: In-Depth Interviews with District and Agency Administrators

The alarming number of youth with unmet mental health needs in the US is a significant social problem. The pilot school-based mental health project described here established an innovative multi-system partnership between an urban school district, a public mental health agency, and a local universit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Urban review 2013-12, Vol.45 (5), p.651-670
Main Authors: Powers, Joelle D., Edwards, Jeffrey D., Blackman, Kate F., Wegmann, Kate M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Administrator Attitudes
Administrators
At Risk Students
Barriers
Behavior Problems
Child Development
Children & youth
Community and Environmental Psychology
Education
Health Needs
Innovation
Innovations
Interviews
Mental Disorders
Mental health care
Mental Health Programs
Mental Health Workers
Partnerships in Education
Pilot Projects
Qualitative Research
School Health Services
Sociology
Student Needs
Sustainability
Urban Schools
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Summary:The alarming number of youth with unmet mental health needs in the US is a significant social problem. The pilot school-based mental health project described here established an innovative multi-system partnership between an urban school district, a public mental health agency, and a local university to better meet the mental health needs of youth in one community. This qualitative study employed in depth interviews with six key administrators who were instrumental in developing and executing the project to explore the most important factors that promoted the successful collaboration. Results of the interviews identified five major themes: (a) perceptions of the project, (b) barriers to collaboration, (c) motivating factors, (d) sustainability, and (e) lessons learned. Findings may be especially helpful to other communities interested in establishing a multi-system intervention to support at risk youth. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
ISSN:0042-0972
1573-1960
DOI:10.1007/s11256-013-0239-4