PK-12 Faculty and Staff Capacity to Support Student Mental Health

Authors

Chin-Chih Chen, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
David B. Naff, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
Xun Liu, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
Jennifer Murphy, University of Texas at ArlingtonFollow
Margaret Wallace, Washington University in St. LouisFollow
Sunny Shin, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
Kade Goldin, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
Shenita Williams, Henrico County Public SchoolsFollow
Caleb Armwood, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
Riley Jenkins, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
Marlene Gooding, Richmond Public SchoolsFollow

Document Type

Article

Original Publication Date

2024

First Page

Chin-Chih

Last Page

Chen

Date of Submission

December 2024

Abstract

This report from the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) depicts findings from a regional survey of PK-12 faculty and staff exploring their professional capacity to meet the mental health needs of their students. Based on responses from approximately 1,000 educators in the MERC region, there were six dimensions of capacity: mental health knowledge, mental health training and confidence, multi-tiered systems of support, positive mental health culture, supportive policies and practices, and responsibility and impact. Findings in the report include position comparisons along these six dimensions as well as an exploration of how capacity varies by school size and demographic composition. Implications for policy and practice are offered, which have been co-authored by leaders and educators in MERC school divisions.

Recommended Citation

*Chen, C., *Naff, D., Lu, X., Murphy, J., Wallace, M., Shin, S., Goldin, K., Williams, S., Armwood, C., Jenkins, R., & Gooding, M. (2024). Examining PK-12 Faculty and Staff Capacity to Support Student Mental Health. Richmond, VA: Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium.

Is Part Of

VCU MERC Publications