Date of Award

5-2020

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education in School Leadership

Department

Center for Leadership & Learning

College

College of Education

Committee Chair

Dr. Sarah Gordon

Second Committee Member

Dr. Wayne Williams

Third Committee Member

Dr. Marguerite Cronk

Program Director

Dr. John Freeman

Dean of Graduate College

Dr. Richard Schoephoerster

Abstract

Mental health services for students in secondary schools has been and is continuing to be an issue in public schools today (National Association School Psychologists [NASP], 2019). Over 10 million students between the ages of 13 to 18 have a mental condition they will need a school-based mental health (SBMH) professional to help them deal with while they are in school (Walker, 2019). In schools, the most common disorders being identified with children and adolescents are: (a) attention-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), (b) bipolar disorder, (c) depression, (d) anxiety, and the access to treatment for most of these children is limited (Walker, 2019). In addition to the disorders mentioned above, according the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, adolescents also struggle with psychological factors like stress, bullying, family problems, learning disabilities, alcohol, substance abuse, and suicide (NASP, 2019). Many schools want to address student mental health issues, but may not have adequate student support services staff (e.g., counselors, social workers, school psychologists) to provide the level of support needed for many students (Crepeau-Hobson, Filaccio, & Gottfried, 2005; Walker, 2019). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services addresses other serious mental health problems like suicide, and how these incidents are increasing in schools (NASP, 2019). This qualitative study addressed the perceptions and experiences of SBMH therapists and counselors in Arkansas’9-12 secondary schools as they diagnosed, treated and served their students. As well as, what did SBMH professionals perceive as barriers for the delivery of those mental health services. There were five high school counselors (n=5) and five SBMH therapists (n=5) that participated. All participated in a demographic survey, and interview questions were vii informed by the literature and used an open-ended format through the qualitative method (Patton, 2002). Findings in the study relate to: (a) increase in the number of severe mental health issues, and SBMH professional’s caseloads have increased; (b) parents are important; (c) administrative paperwork and duties have changed. The perceived barriers were: (a) preventing quality services for students (b) perceived barriers to getting students SBMH services which focused on access, stigma and the financial aspects serving students.

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