Resource Library-2020 Notice. Talk. Act.® at School Briefing Report

Pdf Summary

The American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF) has developed a program called Notice. Talk. Act. at School, which aims to raise awareness among middle and high school educators about youth mental health. Adolescence is a critical period for mental well-being, with many mental disorders appearing during this time. The program emphasizes early identification and intervention, as delays in treatment can lead to poorer outcomes and decreased quality of life. The program advocates for universal mental health screening and necessary interventions to promote positive social and emotional development in students.<br /><br />The program also addresses the issue of disruptive behaviors in schools, recognizing that these behaviors often indicate underlying problems that students are trying to communicate. However, school responses to these behaviors often involve discrimination, criminalization, and exclusion, particularly for students who are poor, of color, immigrants, or disabled. By working with school resource officers and implementing Zero-Tolerance policies, schools have unintentionally contributed to the School-to-Prison Pipeline.<br /><br />The program provides tools and resources for educators, including an online e-learning module and in-person training. It focuses on noticing early warning signs of mental health conditions, effectively talking to students exhibiting these signs, and taking action to connect students with appropriate services and supports. The program has been piloted in 10 schools, with positive feedback from educators who feel more empowered to help their students with mental health issues. Preliminary data from the pilot phase showed an increase in staff confidence, referrals to mental health professionals, and staff comfort levels in connecting with the school's mental health team.<br /><br />The Notice. Talk. Act. at School program stands out from other school mental health programs because it is comprehensive, addresses the unique risks of adolescence, works with adults to build relationships with students, and provides a variety of resources in one curriculum. The program is available at two pricing levels and is also offered in Spanish. Interested schools and organizations can access more information and apply for the program on the APAF's website. The overall goal of the program is to improve outcomes for young people by promoting early intervention and appropriate support for mental health concerns in schools.

Asset Caption

The program aims to use the unique position of teachers and educational staff to monitor and interact with middle school, junior high, and high school adolescents on a daily basis. Early referral for treatment is key in preventing or lessening maladaptive outcomes, and evidence-based reviews support the implementation of school-based programs for altering negative trajectories and giving youth the greatest chance possible for a healthy future.

Download to Learn More

Keywords

American Psychiatric Association Foundation

Notice. Talk. Act. at School

youth mental health

early identification

intervention

mental disorders

universal mental health screening

social and emotional development

disruptive behaviors

School-to-Prison Pipeline