Oct 16 How do local mental health experts know how to best help kids? They rely on evidence-based practices.
Kidsburgh – When kids are struggling, it can be hard for parents and caregivers to know where to turn. Facebook groups, TikToks from “experts,” and the advice of other parents can all vie for space in our brains—making it difficult to know who to trust and what resources to rely on.
At the recent Staunton Farm Foundation conference in Cranberry Township, mental health professionals gathered to discuss just that: How parents and professionals can rely on interventions that have already shown success for other children to help more kids.
What are evidence-based practices?
These programs, called evidence-based practices, are backed by data and experience, says Rob Hamilton, Director of Human Services for Westmoreland County. Much of the funding for mental health services in western Pennsylvania is spent on inpatient treatment—once kids are already in crisis. Hamilton says that through relying on programs rooted in good data, we can change that.
“We have this hope that if we can get to youth early, we can prevent these…inpatient programs down the road,” he told an audience of local practitioners and educators. “And honestly, why are we waiting until someone’s entire life falls apart to be able to help them?”
Mental health services that prevent these crises are crucial. Nicole Platz, an implementation specialist with Penn State’s Edna Bennet Pierce Prevention Research Program, has spent years helping organizations use data to best help kids.
“We all know that youth are facing complex challenges,” says Platz. “The good news is we don’t have to guess about what works. There are decades of research and evidence that show us what programs are most successful at reducing risk, building resiliency, and supporting healthy development.”
Platz says the goal is to build a bridge between what science is telling us we need and the needs in our communities.
What do Pittsburgh kids need to thrive?
How do experts like Platz figure out what programs work? They ask kids.
Many students in 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th grades in the region participate in the Pennsylvania Youth Survey, or PAYS. Participation is voluntary (so ask your district to sign up). You can read the most recent report here.
The more data collected, the better professionals are able to figure out how to help Pennsylvania kids. Experts also rely on school district data and information from parents and professionals.
Survey data gives information on risk factors for mental health concerns, like:
- Drug use
- Low commitment to school (delinquency and/or dropping out)
- Negative parental attitudes about school
- Negative peer influence
- Lack of attachment to their neighborhood or community
There are also protective factors, such as:
- Strong family attachment and support
- Opportunities to get involved in their school and community in positive ways
- Rewards for positive behavior and achievements
This data lets experts who run programs for kids know just what to focus on. For example, educating about drug use can reduce the risk of a mental health crisis, as can programs that encourage school attendance and help parents know how to support their kids through trying times.
Where can parents get help?
Choosing a mental health provider can be tricky. Concerns about wait lists, insurance coverage, and adding one more thing to the family calendar add pressure to already stressed-out parents. If your family needs help accessing mental health services for your child, here are some great places to start:
School counselors: These professionals are the gateway to many supports for local kids. School counselors do classroom lessons on social and emotional learning, work with kids one-on-one, and can also refer kids to higher levels of support before a crisis happens.
School-based mental health programs: While school counselors are a great resource, their time is often limited. That’s why these education professionals often refer families to more intensive programs like the Student Assistance Program, school-based mental health, such as those provided by Allegheny Health Network or Wesley Family Services. These programs can provide individual or group therapy during the school day.
Outpatient services: When kids need something more intensive than what can be provided during the school day, there are a myriad of outpatient therapy options in the greater Pittsburgh region. Find an individual therapist by contacting your insurance company to get a list of local practitioners—it’s a great place to start. There are also programs like UPMC’s Child & Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program that provide a higher level of care while still allowing kids to live at home.
It all comes down to prevention, says Platz. Whether kids are at school, in intensive outpatient treatment, or even in an inpatient program, there are often warning signs before things fall apart. Early intervention rooted in good data is the key to lessening the chance of a crisis. “We see all these different behaviors like difficulty paying attention, trouble remembering things, too much energy, acting silly…” says Platz. These are common behaviors, but they can often indicate a deeper issue like depression or neurodiversity. “If those things go unaddressed, there are short-term and long-term impacts that we can usually mitigate or get ahead of with an evidence-based perspective.”
For more information on resources, please contact your county-specific resource hub: