Adolescence is a period of growth, independence, and exploration, with increased curiosity and risk-taking behaviors (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021b). Evidence has shown an increase in mental health concerns during adolescence, including suicidal behaviors (CDC, 2023b; Plemmons et al., 2018; Yard et al., 2021), as well as…

Substance abuse continues to be a growing concern in America with more efforts to improve the overall quality of treatment for Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). A history of trauma experiences significantly increased the likelihood of an individual turning to substances to cope. However, psychological abuse remains understudied with its relation to…

The turnover among direct care workers in the United States has steadily increased since 2013. This study's direct care workers were behavioral technicians, counselors, behavioral aides, and community care workers. The program statement addressed in this applied research study was the relationship between the initial training and direct service…

School mass shootings have been increasing, leading to the need to better understand how exposure to these events affects high school and college students' academic performance, psychosocial functioning, and mental health. With a greater understanding of these effects, results can be used to inform the contemporary literature on the psychological…

In this qualitative study, 17 participants (N=17) currently practicing as school counselors and engaged in the provision of mental health services to student shared their perceptions in dealing with students with mental health and substance abuse disorder in a school setting. School counselors must provide responsive services to resolve direct and…

Several challenges exist in the implementation of integrated care given that SUD/Addiction treatment has historically been segregated from the broader health care system (Office of the Surgeon General, 2016). One expression of the gap that persists is that for counselors who want to administer SUD/Addiction and mental health counseling, or…

College aged students have one of the highest rates of suicidality, however, research on suicidality often negates the experiences of college students of color. The sample included 122,465 college students of color and explored the relationship between suicidality and variables such as academic distress, clinician initial assessment of…

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by multiple symptoms related to either hyperactivity/impulsivity or inattention and significant impairment. College students with ADHD experience greater impairment than their typical peers, including substance use behaviors. Although the use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs is…

Youth in the United States have been significantly impacted by COVID-19. Their education was disrupted at the onset with many going into virtual school for extended periods of time. This resulted in a loss of connection to peers, teachers, school counselors, and other educational support staff. Extra-curricular activities ceased and many…

This study explored the strategies used by student assistance counselors to build upon the strengths of children of substance-abusing parents. Before this study, strengths-based strategies used by student assistance counselors had yet to be explored. This qualitative phenomenological study examined participants' strategies, how they chose…

The problem this study addressed involves how college students since the year 2020 in the U.S. have been negotiating romance, dating, and sexual relationships in the unique historical period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, this study addressed the problem of needing to determine how the pandemic may have disrupted college students' intimate…

The purpose of this feasibility project is to implement and evaluate the effect of a trauma-informed modification on an evidence-based classroom intervention model to promote effective trauma-informed classroom management and coping skills with potential reduction of educator stress and burnout. Trauma is the most-common psychological health…

The purpose of this bounded case study (Merriam & Tisdell, 2016) was to add to the existing research literature on early childhood trauma in addition to understanding teacher and administrator perceptions on students' adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in rural, Northwest Missouri elementary schools from 2009 through 2019. Survey…

Mental illnesses are often deemed low in health priority despite their large burden of disease. Because many chronic mental illnesses have early onset, youth present a high-risk cohort for disproportionate health burden. Stigma and literacy are two potential barriers to care, so pre-K to 12 schools offer an efficient platform for disseminating…

Substance use disorders (SUD) are a prominent public health problem in the United States of America. Substance use disorders, by definition, beget significant health and social consequences. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between negative educational outcomes (failure to complete high school and low-literacy) and…