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Description
Approximately 17% of children from the ages six to 17 in the U.S. have a treatable mental health disorder, however, of those children, 70% have not received appropriate mental health care to address their mental health problems (MHP) (American Academy of Family Physicians, 2019; Mental Health Foundation, 2016). The severity of MHP identified within the literature points to a distinct need for mental health promotion, prevention, and intervention to address those needs (Albuquerque et al., 2020). Specifically, the need for school-based and after-school based mental health services continues growing at alarming rates (Map, 2013). However, school systems often lack provisions of appropriate mental health services for a variety of reasons, leaving gaps in mental health services focused on positive mental health or the state of mental well-being in which children are able to achieve occupations and activities (Bazyk, 2011; Mental Health Foundation, 2016). Therefore, after-school programs provide a unique environment to implement mental health services while bypassing some of the barriers typically presented in a school setting. Happy and Healthy is a positive mental health program for early elementary school-aged children based on principles of the Synthesis of Child, Occupational, Performance, and Environment-In Time (SCOPE-IT), PERMA model of positive psychology, and social emotional learning (SEL). Happy and Healthy was aimed at promoting occupational performance, occupational participation, quality of life, and well-being for early elementary aged children (K-2) at the Extend-A-Care (EAC) YMCA in Austin, TX.
Publication Date
4-13-2022
Publisher
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Keywords
mental health services, positive mental health, children's mental health, social emotional learning, after-school program, occupational performance, occupational participation, quality of life, well-being
Medical Subject Headings
School Mental Health Services, Mental Health, Child, Adolescent, Child Development, Occupational Therapy
Disciplines
Health and Physical Education | Mental and Social Health | Occupational Therapy
Recommended Citation
Freeman, H., Blackwell, A. L., & Pérez, E. (2022, April 13). Happy and Healthy: A Positive Mental Health Program for Early Elementary School-Aged Children. Poster presented at the Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium, University of St Augustine for Health Sciences. Retrieved from https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstones-spring2022/27
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Health and Physical Education Commons, Mental and Social Health Commons, Occupational Therapy Commons
Comments
Poster presented at the Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium, held online at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences April 12-14, 2022.