Students face myriad social, emotional, and behavioral challenges that undermine academic achievement. Children’s needs for mental health care are largely unmet; between 14 to 20% of children and adolescents (aged 8-15) experience a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder each year but only about half of these children receive treatment. The Multi-Tiered System of Supports for Behavioral Health and Wellness (MTSS-B) model was designed to promote the behavioral health of New Hampshire (NH) public school students. MTSS-B blends research-based school mental health practices and social-emotional learning with Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.
NH’s Multi-Tiered System of Support for Behavioral Health and Wellness Model is a comprehensive system of social, emotional, and behavioral supports to promote student wellness and improve engagement in learning. It takes considerable resources and effort to implement the MTSS-B framework with fidelity. Building the human capacity necessary for full adoption of the model within a school, and even more so across an entire district or state, is crucial. A guiding, evidence-based state-level model, on-the-ground training and staffing, administrative buy-in and support, and ongoing, quality coaching are essential components of the effort. Where these ingredients are in place, students are better positioned to succeed.
Full implementation of MTSS-B likely requires both internal (school-based) and external (community mental health referral-based) mental health access strategies. Beyond access, the next step is to ensure that both internal and external mental health services are high-quality, evidence-based, and implemented with fidelity. High-quality services require training, administrative support, ongoing coaching/supervision, and performance monitoring.
Population: Children and Adolescents
Links:
- Learn more about New Hampshire’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports for Behavioral Health and Wellness
- Read the MTSS-B Summary of Outcomes
- Watch the MTSS-B introduction video
- Learn more about Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
- Check out the School Mental Health Now Action Alert
Date: 2021