Depression and anxiety frequently emerge for the first time during adolescence, a crucial developmental stage making it an essential window for early intervention. Over five million adolescents in the United States received a mental or behavioral health diagnosis in 2023, representing 20% of youth aged 12-17. The national Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that between 2013 and 2023, all major mental health (MH) indicators among high school students nationwide worsened significantly; by 2023, 40% of students reported experiencing persistent sadness or hopelessness severe enough to interfere with daily activities. School-based behavioral health services are increasingly recognized as valuable for both preventing and treating mental health problems in youth populations. Our research examines how school-based programs can increase access, improve the mental health and wellness of youth, and educate school personnel about how to detect and respond to student behavioral health concerns.
Northern Humboldt Union High School District
and
Del Norte County
School-Based Mental Health Evaluations
Key School-Based Behavioral Health Publications
Schapiro NA, Soleimanpour S, Brindis CD. Constructing adolescent-friendly settings to facilitate screening for adverse childhood experiences. J Nurse Practitioners. 20 2024 Sep. doi: 10.1016/j.nurpra.2024.105133.
Geierstanger S, Yu J, Saphir M, Soleimanpour S. Youth Mental Health First Aid training: Impact on the ability to recognize and support youth needs. J Behav Health Serv Res. 2024 Aug 1. PMID: 39090505
Soleimanpour S, Simmons C, Saphir M, Ng S, Jenks K, Geierstanger S. Equity in mental health care receipt among youth who use school-based health centers. Amer J Prev Med. 2024 June 12. PMID: 38876296
Lucas R, Geierstanger S, Soleimanpour S. Mental health needs, barriers, and receipt of care among transgender and nonbinary adolescents. J Adolesc Health. 2024 May 12. PMID: 38739056
Iyer P, Parmar D, Ganson KT, Tabler J, Soleimanpour S, Nagata JM. Investigating Asian American adolescents' resiliency factors and young adult mental health outcomes at 14-year follow-up: A nationally representative prospective cohort study. J Immigr Minor Health. 2022 Jul 11. PMID: 35821295.
Soleimanpour S, Geierstanger S, Lucas R, Ng S, Ferrey I. Risk and resilience factors associated with frequency of school-based health center use. J Sch Health. 2022 Jul;92(7):702-710. doi: 10.1111/josh.13176. Epub 2022 Mar 5. PMID: 35246989.
Sullivan E, Geierstanger S, Soleimanpour S. Mental health service provision at school-based health centers during the COVID-19 pandemic: Qualitative findings from a national listening session. J Pediatr Health Care. 2022 Jul-Aug;36(4):358-367. doi: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2021.11.003. Epub 2021 Nov 18. PMID: 35074221; PMCID: PMC8598949.
Hodges M, Guendelman S, Soleimanpour S. Adolescents’ use of school-based health centers and receipt of mental health supports. Children and Youth Services Review. 2021 Jan 1; 120:105700.
Soleimanpour S, Schapiro NA, Faxio A, Brindis CD. A preliminary study examining the validity of brief trauma screening tools for young adolescents in school-based health centers. J Nurs Meas. 2021 04 01; 29(1):53-65. PMID: 33334845.
Schapiro N, Soleimanpour S, Brindis C. Reaching out to youth about trauma: Adolescent rapid screening validation pilot. J Adolesc Health. 2018 Feb 1; 62(2):s14.
Soleimanpour S, Geierstanger S, Brindis CD. Adverse childhood experiences and resilience: Addressing the unique needs of adolescents. Acad Pediatr. 2017 Sep-Oct;17(7S):S108-S114. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2017.01.008. PMID: 28865641.
Amaral G, Geierstanger S, Soleimanpour S, Brindis C. Mental health characteristics and health-seeking behaviors of adolescent school-based health center users and nonusers. J Sch Health. 2011 Mar;81(3):138-45. DOI: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2010.00572.x.