The School Counseling Mental Health Initiative seeks to partner with Colorado schools and national organizations to understand student mental health issues and help schools improve their intervention effectiveness.
Why SCMHI?
School administrators and counselors are on the front lines of mental health support and are seeking to address the challenges faced by students including anxiety, depression and suicide, racial and economic disparities, addiction, and fear of school violence. Educators and counselors are actively seeking to address these needs, but often lack funding and evidence-based resources to truly make an impact.
Denver Seminary is helping to address the mental health crises schools are facing through the School Counseling and Mental Health Initiative (SCMHI). We welcome your support as we work with strategic partners to make real, positive, lasting change.
As the only seminary in the nation offering a fully accredited MA in Counseling with a concentration in School Counseling, Denver Seminary is uniquely poised to lead this charge.
What does SCMHI do?
Through Community Based Participatory Research, a form of action research where researchers and community partners collaborate to develop research goals and execute projects, SCMHI leads qualitative and quantitative research projects, disseminates findings at professional conferences and in professional publications, and empowers community partners to use research to support their community. Importantly, SCMHI’s partnerships are free to their community partners, due to the generous support of donors.
Let us share with you some highlights. We have:
- Partnered with multiple public, private, and charter schools to research:
- Factors impacting student and educator mental health
- Programming to facilitate social and emotional development
- Educator and school counselor burn out
- Effective policies for preventing suicide and promoting student wellness
- Professional identity and roles of school counselors
- Effective mental health support in faith-based private schools
SCMHI has also:
- Received letters of support from the Colorado Department of Education and Colorado Department of Higher Education
- Presented multiple research finding at the national, state, and local levels
- Consulted with numerous schools and school systems to improve their student and educator supports
Notable publications:
Meier Thornton, E., Miller, B.M., Hauser, K. L., Miller, L., Volpone, B. and Wilson, A. (2022) Mental health and well-being in faith-based schools: A qualitative study. In L. E. Swaner (Ed.). Leading insights: Mental health and well-being. pp.31-41. Association of Christian Schools International.
Wilson, A., Hauser, K.L., Meier Thornton, E., Miller, B.M., Miller, L. and Volpone, B. (2022) Understanding the trends: Exploring the Influences and evidence-based practices of student mental health. In L. E. Swaner (Ed.). Leading insights: Mental health and well-being. pp.16-30. Association of Christian Schools International.
Wilson, A., Meier Thornton, E., Hauser, K. L., Miller, L., Volpone, B., & Miller, B. M. (2023). Student mental health support in private Christian schools: Perspectives and needs. Journal of Psychology and Christianity. 42(3), 187-207.
How can you help?
Explore a partnership with SCMHI
Learn more about SCMHI by contacting Dr. Adam Wilson, SCMHI Director and Associate Professor
Donate to SCMHI:
click here to support the transformation work of SCMHI