Early adolescents entering middle school are at a pivotal developmental phase as they become less dependent on parents/guardians and seek greater autonomy while encountering a complexity of social demands requiring them to regulate their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors to achieve academic and social success. Yet, students who receive services…

Animal-assisted interventions (AAI) are increasingly used in clinical and school settings to promote psychological and social-emotional well-being among youth. However, the precise role of youth-animal relationships in shaping developmental trajectories is understudied. Research is needed to expand human-centric models of child development,…

This pilot study investigated the effectiveness of Healthy Minds, Healthy Schools (HMHS), a universal school cognitive-behavioral therapy program aimed at improving anxiety and emotion regulation. Using a quasi-experimental design with open assignment to groups, elementary students were assigned to either the intervention (n = 186) or comparison…

Background: Children within historically disadvantaged non-Western South African communities are considered as particularly vulnerable to the development of anxiety problems. Although the need for accessible mental health interventions is evident, this need has remained unmet in a country with extreme socio-economic disparities and a lack of…

This study explores primary school aged children's perspectives and experiences of their Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) support. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with 12 Key Stage 2 participants, who had had a minimum of one month's ongoing ELSA support. Four core themes were…

Several mental health programs have been developed in clinics and transported into schools, which has great potential for increasing access to intervention for students who may not be otherwise served. However, such programs may lack consideration of the complexity and constraints of schools, including the diversity of student needs and…

Several mental health programs have been developed in clinics and transported into schools, which has great potential for increasing access to intervention for students who may not be otherwise served. However, such programs may lack consideration of the complexity and constraints of schools, including the diversity of student needs and…

Limited research exists on social work students' level of depression and help-seeking beliefs. This study empirically examined the rates of depression among 215 BSW students and explored students' reasons for not using mental health services. Approximately 50% scored at or above the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale cutoff;…

Four fourth-grade boys participated in an anger management group using "Seeing Red: An Anger Management and Peacemaking Curriculum for Kids" facilitated by a school psychology intern and her supervisor (J. Simmonds, 2003). The group met for 30 min weekly for a total of 14 sessions. Lessons consisted of practicing skills and strategies related to…

Background: Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a leading cause of referral for youth mental health services; yet, many uncertainties exist about ODD given it is rarely examined as a distinct psychiatric disorder. We examined the lifetime prevalence, onset, persistence, and correlates of ODD. Methods: Lifetime prevalence of ODD and 18 other…

The influx of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) into the educational arena and the services they need have generated mass controversy between various pedagogical circles. It is estimated that an astounding 10% of the entire school-age population (about four million children) have been diagnosed with this disorder. The…

This study attempted to clarify the issues of previous research that revealed that Korean Americans underutilize available mental health and social service systems in the community. It is reported that five independent variables are related to underutilization: (1) level of adjustment; (2) cultural values; (3) personal adaptability; (4) attitude…

Describes how a 16-year-old African-American male, Tyrone, excelled in a mental-health day-treatment facility in which he was enrolled. Tyrone used the skills taught within the replacement-skills curriculum at the facility to compose a rap song that reminded him and his classmates how to react when faced with a difficult situation. (MKA)

This paper discusses three functional classes of assessment of depression: (1) global measures for comparability; (2) specific measures of depression components; and (3) measures of model-related dimensions. Attempts at assessing depression in two psychotherapy studies are presented. This research has been organized around a model which assumes…

The purpose of this manual is to provide clients of community mental health facilities with techniques and skills to bring about changes in their own behavior and that of others in their environment. The manual has been used for two years as a textbook for a program of self-control skills training offered in San Mateo County, California, community…