Why Students Work on Our Project
Our K-12 Mental Health Initiative actively engages students in meaningful research that bridges academic knowledge with real-world application. Students play a vital role in our work for several key reasons:
Building Evidence-Based Knowledge
Students contribute to our foundational scholarship by reviewing and synthesizing peer-reviewed literature on evidence-based interventions for K-12 mental health. This work is crucial as we aim to understand and document effective practices that school personnel—particularly educators who spend significant time with students—can implement to support student wellbeing.
Understanding Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
Students help analyze interventions across the three MTSS tiers:
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Tier 1: Universal supports for all students, including social-emotional learning curricula and classroom-wide mindfulness practices
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Tier 2: Targeted interventions for students needing additional support, such as small group resilience training and stress management programs
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Tier 3: Intensive, individualized interventions for students with significant needs, including adapted CBT approaches in school settings
Importantly, our student researchers help identify how many interventions can be effectively implemented across multiple tiers with appropriate modifications, rather than being confined to a single tier. This adaptive approach allows schools to maximize resources while meeting diverse student needs.
Professional Development
Participating students gain valuable research experience while developing specialized knowledge in school mental health that enhances their academic and professional development. Many continue to specialized careers in educational psychology, school counseling, and related fields where they can directly impact youth wellbeing.
Bridging Research and Practice
By involving students from diverse backgrounds (psychology, education, nursing, social work, public health), our project creates interdisciplinary connections that strengthen both our research approach and the practical applications of our findings. Students help ensure our work remains relevant to classroom realities through their fresh perspectives and innovative thinking.