The mental health services provided to students and families connected with five middle schools participating in the Detroit-Wayne County Community Mental Health Agency School-Based Mental Health Programs have been analyzed by two Wayne State University researchers who can explain how such programs can help youngsters deal with depression and aggression.

The student shooting in Colorado has made clear how important mental health services are for children and teens. Professor Melvyn Raider and Research Assistant Gail Stewart of the WSU School of Social Work have studied the mental health services provided by the Detroit-Wayne County Community Mental Health Agency and housed in Detroit Public Schools.

The School-Based Mental Health programs provide crisis intervention; screening/diagnostic services; outreach and home-based services for families; information and referrals; client management services; individual and group treatment; prevention and education services; socialization and parents groups; as well as linkage to mentoring, tutoring and other supports.

The researchers have gathered information from the schools and staff as well as students and their parents. They conducted interviews, an administrative audit, looked at clinical records and examined the overall satisfaction rate of the programs.

Both are available to talk about what works and what doesn't in a mental health program for youths. To arrange an interview, call Raider at (313) 577-4403 or Stewart at (313) 577-4437.