Indiana schools launch major initiative to boost student mental health

The Indiana Department of Education, in collaboration with the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction, is actively addressing the mental health needs of K-12 students through a federal grant program. Initially awarded in 2021, the grant provides approximately $787,000 annually for up to five years, aimed at enhancing mental health infrastructure in schools.

The grant, which operates on a reimbursement basis, mandates the establishment of a project aware coordinator and requires adherence to specific goals, professional development, and monthly data reporting to an external evaluator. Key objectives include expanding school-based mental health services and implementing evidence-based tiered interventions tailored to student needs.

The tiered intervention model consists of three levels: Tier One offers universal support to all students, utilizing the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program to foster a positive school culture and reduce bullying incidents. Tier Two provides small group interventions, such as the Building Hope Resiliency Groups, which focus on skill development over eight weeks. Participation in these groups has increased significantly, with plans to expand from 30 to 90 students this year.

At Tier Three, the program facilitates school-based therapy in partnership with local mental health providers, delivering over 600 hours of services to students this year alone. Community engagement has been strong, highlighted by a mental health awareness walk that attracted over 150 participants.

To assess the effectiveness of these initiatives, the department monitors various metrics, including bullying reports and student self-reports on skill acquisition. While quantifying the impact on attendance remains challenging, preliminary data suggests that access to mental health services positively influences student attendance.

The ongoing efforts reflect a commitment to improving student mental health and well-being, with a focus on data-driven outcomes to guide future initiatives.