Survey Results: Digital mental health interventions

Fall 2023

PBIS Northwest subscribers were surveyed in September and October 2023 regarding their concerns and priorities when it comes to K-12 student behavioral health. We are pleased to share with you the results of that survey below. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

Your Concerns

Your Roles

  • 28% School Counselor  

  • 25% Principal/Assistant Principal  

  • 18% Teacher/Aide 

  • 10% Behavior Specialist  

  • 8%  MTSS/PBIS implementation  

  • 13% Others 

 

  • 86% Classroom Behavior 

  • 74% Child mental health 

  • 57% Attendance 

  • 43% Supporting Children with IEP/504 plans 

  • 19% Grades 

  • 14% Self-harm 

  • 24% Other concerns, including: Externalizing behaviors (aggression), Anxiety and Stress, Apathy, bullying and eloping, Gangs, drugs (pot smoking), vaping, Low Reading Abilities, SEB (Social-Emotional and Behavior Practices), Generational and Western Trauma,
    and gender affirming supports 

Are there staff in your school specifically designated to work with and support parents
of students with emotional and behavioral challenges? 

  • 36% replied: Yes, dedicated staff 

  • 38% replied: Yes, parent engagement is one part of their role 

  • 26% replied: No 

How do you currently support students with mental
and behavioral health problems at school?  

  • 86% replied “We provide support through our school staff, such as counselors or social workers in the buildings”

  • 76% replied “We refer to community partners who provide support” 

  • 57% replied “We provide support through our administrators  (example, assistant principal)”

  • 38% replied “We have providers at the district level to support students”

  • 5% replied with other supports, including: Parent Support/Collaboration with
    the School, and School Wide Character Strong Program

What are your top three reasons to involve parents in seeking a solution to student problems?

  • 69% replied: Student disruptive behavior 

  • 67% replied: Support parent engagement in problem solving solutions for student 

  • 50% replied: Student Attendance 

  • 38% replied: Student depression or anxiety 

  • 36% replied: Build trust with the community 

  • 24% replied: Student suicidal ideation / self-harm 

  • 19% replied: Academic Performance 

 At which tier could your school benefit
from having more support? 

  • 90% replied: Tier 2 

  • 55% replied: Tier 1

  • 50% replied: Tier 3

Considering the increased burden on schools related to mental health and behavioral issues, how important is providing support to parents related to managing mental health and behavior for their student? 

  • 86% replied: A lot

  • 12% replied: Somewhat 

  • 2% replied: A little

Other comments:

  • The need is great and the resources are few! 

  • We are a rural district and have limited resources. We are happy to gain
    any resources that we can. 

  • Being in a rural district we are always looking for more mental health resource options 

  • I do wonder about the content in the app and whether it is culturally appropriate for our population. 

  • We need more resources!!! 

  • The more the better. We just need to engage families. Often times they say they will,
    but don't. 

  • This is a completely new idea to our school. 

  • Parents are very stressed, overwhelmed and busy. 

  • We are experiencing more explosive and defiant behavior and are struggling to provide support to parents on helping manage the behaviors. 

  • It has to be well researched and easily accessed by parents and school staff
    so teamwork can occur. 

  • Teaching Alcohol Awareness and Addiction Education. 

  • Would like to see how school psychologists can support. 

Survey participants were from across the Western US, including Nevada, Idaho and Oregon, Washington, and included a total of 42 respondents.