Effects of School-Based Mental Health Services on Youth Outcomes

Authors

Ezra Golberstein, University of Minnesota - Twin CitiesFollow
Irina Zainullina, University of Minnesota - Twin CitiesFollow
Aaron Sojourner, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment ResearchFollow
Mark A. Sander, Hennepin County

Upjohn Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6839-2512

Publication Date

4-2024

Source

The Journal of Human Resources 59(S): S256-S281

Abstract

School-based mental health services (SBMH) may increase students’ access to care, which could yield benefits for mental health status and human capital-related outcomes. This paper uses a difference-in-differences design with 19 years of survey and administrative data to estimate the impacts of SBMH on a range of K-12 student outcomes. SBMH increases average outpatient mental health service use and reduces self-reported suicide attempts. There is weaker evidence that SBMH reduces suspensions and juvenile justice involvement, and no evidence that SBMH affects average attendance, standardized test scores, or self-reported substance use.

DOI

10.3368/jhr.1222-12703R2

Publisher

University of Wisconsin Press

Subject Areas

EDUCATION; K-12 Education