Supporting Students: A GRADE Analysis of the Research on Student Wellness and Classroom Mental Health Support

Abstract

Recommendations derived from research evidence regarding program implementation in school-based mental health [SBMH] require knowledge of the intervention outcomes as well as the potential to translate program components into schools. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) analysis was applied to major areas of the SBMH literature in addressing the areas of effectiveness and the strength of recommendation in implementation. Nine areas were addressed: emotional intelligence, stigma reduction, mindfulness, anxiety, depression, addictions, suicide prevention, trauma, and eating disorders. Ninety-eight studies were retrieved across the nine areas. Effect sizes based on reported outcomes and estimates on the strength of recommendation were generated in each of the nine areas of interest. These results provide an overview of the quality of the evidence that will be of relevance to school personal in making program selections.