Outcomes of Professional Development Activities for Selected Texas School Personnel Helping Students Cope with Behavioral and Mental Health Issues
Institutional Repository Document
Overview
Research
Identity
Other
View All
Overview
abstract
AbstractSchool personnel help youth cope with life and school stressors daily. However, help may depend on ones confidence or knowledge of such issues. In 2019 and 2020, more than 13,800 Texas educators participated in Emotional Backpack Project (EBP) training for youth coping with behavioral and mental health issues. Post-intervention results showed significant gains in understanding students behavioral and mental health issues, improved confidence in approaching students, parents, or other school staff to discuss students harmful behaviors, understanding mindfulness activities, and increased knowledge of trauma informed schools and trauma informed educators. Teachers and other school personnel were less confident approaching parents or guardians to discuss youth mental health issues than in approaching students, counselors, and other staff. EBP interventions produced positive results in school personnels knowledge, perceptions, and confidence to help students cope with behavioral and mental health issues. EBP training should be adopted widely and occur more than once annually.
