Department of Health and Behavioral Studies, Teachers College, Columbia University, 255 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027.
J Sch Health. 2019 Apr;89(4):328-338. doi: 10.1111/josh.12738. Epub 2019 Feb 11.
Poor mental health outcomes persist among adolescent youth. Secondary schools play a critical role in fostering positive mental health by implementing policies and practices grounded in evidence. The factors associated with implementation, however, are unclear. This study examines which school- and state-level factors are associated with improved implementation of mental health policies and practices at secondary schools across the United States.
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data stemming from 3 datasets (School Health Policies and Practices, School Health Profiles, and Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System) surveys were integrated and analyzed.
Health educator certification, school use of data during school improvement planning, presence of a health/safety coordinator, presence of a health council and state-provided health educator professional development in mental health and suicide prevention were each significantly positively associated with schools' implementation of mental health policies and practices.
To promote improved implementation of mental health policies and practices in schools and provide better support for youth mental health outcomes, the use of certified health educators and health-related supports should be considered. State health and education agencies should undertake evaluations of its mental health practices to ensure the assistance they offer to schools is evidence based.
青少年的心理健康问题仍然存在。中学在培养积极的心理健康方面发挥着关键作用，通过实施基于证据的政策和实践。然而，与实施相关的因素尚不清楚。本研究旨在探讨哪些学校和州级因素与美国中学改善心理健康政策和实践的实施有关。
整合了美国疾病控制与预防中心（CDC）来自 3 个数据集（学校健康政策和实践、学校健康概况和青年风险行为监测系统）的调查数据，并进行了分析。
健康教育教师认证、学校在学校改进规划中使用数据、有健康/安全协调员、有健康理事会以及州提供的心理健康和自杀预防方面的健康教育专业发展，与学校实施心理健康政策和实践都有显著的正相关关系。
为了促进学校心理健康政策和实践的改善实施，为青少年的心理健康结果提供更好的支持，应考虑使用认证的健康教育教师和与健康相关的支持。州卫生和教育机构应开展对其心理健康实践的评估，以确保其为学校提供的援助是基于证据的。
