Inadequate Mental Health Services in Rural Schools
Accessing adequate mental health services is a critical challenge for school-aged children in rural communities in the United States. Mental health services are lacking in rural schools, the National Education Association states that over fifty percent of public schools offer mental health evaluations, with rural schools being nineteen percent less inclined to provide assessments compared to urban schools. Using the Ecological Systems Theory, this research integrates education, psychology, and public health to address these challenges and propose solutions. The purpose of this study is to assess the adequacy of rural school counseling services in rural K-12 schools. To address this purpose, the researchers administered online surveys to mental health professionals in rural k-12 schools. This presentation will discuss the results from this survey and the implications of this research. Resolving this issue will lead to better social-emotional health and academic success for rural students.
Keywords: Mental Health, Rural, Resources, Elementary , Psychology, Education, Public Health, Interdisciplinary
Topic(s):Education
Psychology
Interdisciplinary Studies
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Session: 102-4
Location: SUB Georgian Room A
Time: 10:00