74: Helping the Helpers Address Youth Mental Health

Building a comprehensive workforce response to the youth mental health crisis requires educators, traditional school behavioral health workers, and public health professionals to work collaboratively. A public health approach is needed to address youth mental health by supporting frontline staff through a “helping the helpers” model. Public health and education sectors can work in tandem to train frontline school staff and create systems of support for staff well-being. This episode highlights strategies for addressing youth mental health through the workforce and promising state practices for cross-sector collaborations. Guests: Sharon Hoover, PhD, Co-Director, National Center for School Mental Health Director, NCTSN Center for Safe Supportive Schools, University of Maryland School of Medicine Allison Budzinski, MSW, CAPSW, Trauma and Resilience Coordinator Wisconsin Department of Health Services Jessica Frain, MSW, School Mental Health Consultant, Student Services/Prevention and Wellness, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Resources: Improving School Workforce Capacity to Address Youth Mental Health ASTHO Report: Improving Youth Behavioral Health Through School Based Strategies NCSMH Advancing Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems: Guidance from the Field Resilient Wisconsin Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction School Mental Health