Ohio Sees 200% Increase in School-Based Behavioral Health Partnerships Since 2017

An Ohio-based organization highlighted concerning trends in youth mental health while also pointing out positive developments in school-community collaborations to support students’ behavioral well-being.

The Ohio Council of Behavioral Health & Family Services Providers, representing 165 private entities offering community-based prevention, mental health, substance use, and family services, examined data going back to 2017. They focused on the relationships between community behavioral health centers (CBHCs) and schools in Ohio. The analysis revealed a remarkable 223% increase in school-based behavioral health services since then.

The council identified 3,610 schools, encompassing public, private, charter schools, and educational service centers, that provide essential screening, prevention, treatment, and crisis intervention services through CBHCs.

According to the study, the recent year witnessed a 21.8% growth in partnerships between schools and CBHCs, marking one of the largest documented expansions since tracking this data commenced.

Of these schools, 87.5% deliver clinical or treatment services, 88.5% offer prevention services, and 60% engage in crisis intervention services. Additionally, 97.5% of CBHCs collaborate with schools on areas like school planning teams and curriculum development.

The integration of comprehensive mental health services such as crisis intervention and counseling into schools via partnerships with CBHCs eases accessibility barriers for students needing behavioral health services. This approach has demonstrated significant enhancements in students’ mental and behavioral health outcomes, including reduced absenteeism, improved academic performance, and better social-emotional skills.

While acknowledging the substantial progress made by CBHCs, researchers highlighted challenges related to staffing school-based programs. Approximately one-third of schools/CBHCs reported deteriorating challenges over the past year. Vacancies in full-time school-based behavioral health staff surged by over 11% compared to the previous academic year. Major obstacles to service provision include high student needs, long waitlists, and staff shortages.

In accordance with the Health Policy Institute of Ohio’s reports, Ohio ranks 44th among states in population health and healthcare expenditure. The institute emphasized the struggles in youth mental health in Ohio, particularly among LGBTQ+ youth. Concerning this group, suicide rates are 4.8 times higher, and suicide attempts are 4.3 times more frequent compared to heterosexual/cisgender children in Ohio.

Addressing these issues, Governor Mike DeWine unveiled a $20 million grant program by The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services for a decade-long study led by The Ohio State University and partner institutions. The research aims to delve into the root causes, risks, and preventive factors of mental illness.

The recent report from the Council of Behavioral Health & Family Service Providers urged Ohio policymakers to expand school-based services by addressing funding shortages in prevention, consultation, and treatment services. It calls for guidance on funding strategies to strengthen community partnerships, solutions to behavioral health workforce shortages, and increased access to screening and early intervention for mental health challenges among at-risk populations.