WMJ Vol 123 Issue 6: Impact of a School Based Mental Health Program on Academic Outcomes 

ABSTRACT

Background: Academic achievement is an important indicator of a child’s functioning and is inextricably linked with mental health. Prevalence rates of mental illness among children are alarmingly high, while relatively few receive treatment. Increasing accessibility to appropriate care is a major objective of school-based mental health programs. Providing mental health care in the schools should result in improved accessibility to care, decreased distress, and improved academic outcomes. 

Methods: We followed 465 children in a large, urban school district who had been referred for school-based mental health services across 1 academic year. Outcomes including attendance, office disciplinary referrals, suspensions, and academic achievement were collected. 

Results: Participation in school-based mental health was associated with lower rates of suspensions and higher math achievement scores. Dose-dependent relationships were found for attendance and suspensions. 

Conclusions: School-based mental health care may improve access to treatment, thereby addressing health care inequities, and was associated with improvement in academic achievement and school-related behaviors. 

Intended Audience

The intended audience for this continuing education activity is healthcare professionals caring for the people of Wisconsin and beyond.

Learning Objectives

As a result of participating in this journal-based activity, healthcare team members will be able to:

  1. Describe a school-based mental health program reported in this article.
  2. Explain the impact of school-based mental health interventions on academic achievement and school-related behaviors. 
  3. Discuss collaboration needed to support school-based mental health services that can advance health equity and improve academic outcomes.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 0.75 AAPA Category 1 CME
  • 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 0.75 ANCC Contact Hours
  • 0.75 University of Wisconsin–Madison Continuing Education Hours
    • 0.75 Approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Registration opens: 
10/28/2025
Course expires: 
10/27/2026
Cost:
$0.00
Part of: 
Wisconsin Medical Journal Volume 123
Rating: 
0

FACULTY DISCLOSURE

It is the policy of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Interprofessional Continuing Education Partnership (ICEP) to identify, mitigate and disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies* held by the  speakers/presenters, authors, planners, and other persons who may influence the content of this accredited continuing education (CE). In addition, speakers, presenters and authors must disclose any planned discussion of unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices during their presentation.

For this accredited continuing education activity all relevant financial relationships have been mitigated and detailed disclosures are listed below.

Name of IndividualIndividual's Role in ActivityFinancial Relationship DisclosureDiscussion of Unlabeled/Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices
Marianna Shershneva, MD, PhDAccreditation SpecialistNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
James Eberhard, MFAAccreditation SpecialistNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
David Cipriano PhDAuthorNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Samuel A. Maurice, PhdAuthorNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo

David Rebedew, MD

ReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Shannon Casey, PhDReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Fahad Aziz, MDEditorNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Kevin Wyne, PAC, MPAS, MScReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Caitlin Weitzel, APNP, ACNP, MSNReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
David Dwyer, PhD, RN, NEBCReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo

*Ineligible companies are those whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on, patients. The ACCME does not consider providers of clinical services directly to patients to be ineligible companies.

Discloser List CME Internal Report

Accreditation

Accreditation Statement

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP and the Wisconsin Medical Journal.  The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Credit Designation Statements

 

American Medical Association (AMA)

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this journal-based CE activity for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

 

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this journal-based CE activity for a maximum of 0.75 ANCC contact hour.  

American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 0.75 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until 10/27/2026. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

 

Continuing Education Units

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP, as a member of the University Professional & Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), authorizes this program for 0.075 continuing education units (CEUs) or 0.75 hour.

Available Credit

  • 0.75 AAPA Category 1 CME
  • 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 0.75 ANCC Contact Hours
  • 0.75 University of Wisconsin–Madison Continuing Education Hours
    • 0.75 Approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

Cost:
$0.00
Please login or register to take this course.

Accessibility

If you need anything to participate in this program, please contact [email protected].

Required Hardware/software

Free, current version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. Some older browsers and Microsoft Internet Explorer could produce error messages or not display the content correctly. 

Free, current version of Adobe Acrobat Reader or other .pdf reader.