Proposed Solution

Many Illinois public schools already use various multi-tiered approaches to address student mental health, thus, our proposed solution is to increase mental health funding and fully integrate multi-tiered systems of support, with a large focus on universal screening and incorporating school-based mental health centers within all Illinois public schools. This will be accomplished through the S.H.I.E.L.D initiative.

Multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS)

Multi-tiered systems of support closely follows public health models by focusing on the entire student body. Then, through screening, additional help can be supplied to students who need it the most.

Tier 1- Will use an Early Warning Intervention and Monitoring System (EWIMS) to identify and monitor students who “miss educational milestones” or receive low grades. This can be easily applied to all public high schools, which uses grades and other behavioral metrics to universally screen the student population and identify who may need mental health assistance using Tier 2 or Tier 3 methods.
Tier 2 - Uses targeted instruction, intervention and/or additional support in the educational setting for those with a higher risk of mental health issues (examples include mentoring and low-intensity check-ins with teachers)
Tier 3 - Provides individualized interventions for those with serious mental health challenges (such as individual or group therapy)

School-Based Mental Health Centers

School-based mental health services are offered by trained school-employed mental health professionals such as nurses, counselors or psychologists

These services help by removing barriers for students who may lack transportation or access to healthcare facilities in their neighborhood

School-based mental health services can partner with community health organizations to develop a referral process and can offer services to students and their families

Benefits of S.H.I.E.L.D

There are many perceived benefits with using not only multi-tiered systems of support, but also universal mental health screenings and school-based mental health centers:

Universal Screening & MTSS

In a 2014/2015 study, an Early Warning Intervention and Monitoring System was randomly assigned to 37 (out of 73) high schools in the Midwest region. Results found that the system helped to significantly lower chronic absence and course failure in students

A 2003 review of universal mental health screening and promotion concluded that these programs help decrease suspension rates while increasing positive classroom behaviors and school attendance

Dedicated Mental Health Services & Staff

A study that included 168 Oregon public schools from 2013-2015 found that schools with mental health services and dedicated mental health staff helped to significantly lower the likelihood of youth suicidal ideation and suicide attempts compared with youth at other public schools

Multiple studies have been conducted which found that mental health treatment interventions within schools reduce the impact of mental illness, specifically improving depression and anxiety in adolescents

School-Based Health Centers

A 2010 study of school-based health centers discovered that 2 months after receiving these services (such as counseling), absenteeism decreased by 50% and tardiness decreased by 25% among 13–18-year-old high school students

Two reviews of school-based mental health programs found that they helped improve student attendance, behavior, and test scores