The Impact of School-Based Health Centers’ Mental and Behavioral Health Services
on African American Male Students
ABSTRACT SUMMARY
This presentation will address a critical topic, the effectiveness of school-based health centers in treating behavioral and mental health services among African-American males. Data will show that African-American males are more likely to utilize behavioral and mental health services in SBHC settings, compared to community settings. The presentation will show how more effective outreach to this special population can increase self-referral and referral from school staff, further increasing the positive impact of SBHCs.
ABSTRACT DESCRIPTION
Adolescence is a critical period of emotional, psychological, and social development, a period when it is not uncommon for mood disorders and behavioral health issues to manifest (Schwartz, 2009). Mood disorders and behavioral health issues include conditions such as depression, anxiety, anger, and post-traumatic stress. While male and female adolescents are equally vulnerable to mental and behavioral health disorders, males are less likely than females to be diagnosed and treated for these conditions. African-American males are particularly vulnerable in that they are less likely to seek treatment for behavioral and mental health complaints, and are more commonly expelled and suspended for behavioral issues rather than referred for treatment.
This presentation will address the effectiveness of school-based health centers (SBHCs) in treating behavioral and primary mental health conditions of African-American males. Cross-sectional data from two data collection points, 2009 and 2012, conducted by School Health Connection will be presented, comparing students in schools with and without SBHCs. The data demonstrates significant associations of mental health services utilization among African American males in schools with SBHCs compared to non-SBHC schools. It also demonstrates that African American males with access to SBHCs utilized mental health services at a higher rate than those with only access to community-based mental health services. These findings are critical, given the disparate performance of African American males relative to suspensions and expulsions, and high school graduation.
Actual SBHC utilization data also suggests that there is substantial capacity to see additional African American males, and that effective outreach creates a greater impact on this population. This presentation will also include results from an outreach campaign implemented in local Orleans SBHCs to increase self-referral and faculty and staff referrals of African American males for SBHC behavioral and mental health services. The strategies utilized will be described and results will be included. This information should have implications for other SBHC programs.
PRESENTER(S)
NAME: Marsha Broussard DrPH ORGANIZATION: Louisiana Public Health Institute
AUDIENCE
ADMINISTRATORS: Y
PRIMARY HEALTH: Y
MENTALHEALTH: N
ORGANIZATIONAL: Y
PUBLIC HEALTH: Y
EDUCATION: N
YOUTH: N
Technical
issues should be directed to Deirdre Taylor via email: dtaylor@sbh4all.org
or Telephone: (202) 638-5872, ext. 204
