UVA researcher developing app to support students after mental health crisis

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - A University of Virginia researcher is working to change how schools support students after a mental health crisis by developing an app to connect hospitals, families and schools.

For many families, a mental health crisis doesn’t end when a child leaves the emergency room. The next challenge is making sure they have the support they need when they walk back into school.

“There’s been a significant increase in the number of youth who visit the emergency department for a mental health related visit,” said Dr. Lora Henderson Smith, an assistant professor of clinical and school psychology in the UVA School of Education and Human Development.

Henderson Smith, who is also a licensed clinical psychologist, said most young people do not stay in the hospital long.

“The catch is that the majority of kids who go to the emergency department with a mental health issue are discharged right back home,” she said. “That means that they are right back with their parents who are seeking help for them or they’re right back in school the next day with those same school mental health professionals or teachers who sent them in for support.”

Henderson Smith leads the Promoting Healthy and Supportive Experiences in Schools Lab at UVA, which conducts research and professional development relating to supporting kindergarten through 12th grade students as they return to school after mental health crises.

“Emergency departments are not designed to provide treatment to children who are in mental health crisis,” Henderson Smith said. “They’re designed for assessment and triaging and getting them to where they need to go.”

She said students with significant needs are hospitalized or transferred to facilities with psychiatric units. Those who are not admitted need support outside the hospital, such as outpatient mental health care or check-ins with primary care providers.

“But all students return to school,” Henderson Smith said. “So I focus on schools as a site of prevention and intervention for mental health issues.”

Her work includes supporting and training school mental health professionals and developing interventions for schools. The current project focuses on creating an app that promotes communication between the hospital system, youth, families and schools.

The research team is conducting interviews with school mental health professionals, emergency department clinicians, youth and families to learn what would better support students as they transition back to school.

Henderson Smith is seeking high school students who have experienced a mental health related emergency department visit and their parents to participate in focus groups.

“We know that talking about these things can be sensitive,” she said. “We are just really interested in having these conversations carefully and thoughtfully. So don’t be embarrassed. There’s often stigma attached with mental health concerns.”

The focus groups will discuss what worked for participants as they returned to school after an emergency department visit, or what would have been more helpful. The first focus group is on Zoom, and a second focus group later will likely be in person. Participants will receive payment for participation.

High school students must have permission from their parents to participate.

“We are all about making the transition back to school after a mental health crisis more successful,” Henderson Smith said. “So please don’t hesitate to reach out to our lab with any questions. And we hope that you might consider participating in one of our studies.”

Those interested can email phases-lab@virginia.edu or find Henderson Smith’s contact information on the UVA website.

• Focus Group #1 will occur online via Zoom with other participants of a similar grouping (i.e., students with students, caregivers with caregivers). The session will last 60 minutes.
• Focus Group #2 will occur in-person atUVA and will take approximately 90 minutes. These groups will contain individuals from various groups.
• Participants will receive a $50 gift card for each session they attend. You may attend one or both sessions.

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