Students with Dual Diagnosis: Can School-Based Mental Health Services Play a Role?

摘要

This article describes and investigates initial findings from the Esperanza Mental Health Services (EMHS) Program, which is an intensive outpatient program that provides individual and group mental health services for students with "dual diagnosis" or developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health problems. Previous research substantiates that the mental health needs of this population are significant, yet often go unaddressed in school settings. Preliminary outcomes for a sample of 61 children ages 4-22 suggest improvements in important school indicators, such as suspensions and absences during the year of program implementation, as well as positive changes in parent-reported mentai health functioning. Lastly, parent satisfaction regarding these services and supports was high. The implications of these results for a proposed school-based mental health service delivery model within a multi-tiered system of prevention and intervention are discussed.