Study Status
Ongoing
Project Team
Alignment with Crown Institute Vision
By listening to the wisdom of students, teachers, and families, we can ensure schools are not only places of learning but also communities of care. When every voice helps shape the path forward, we can imagine schools where mental health and wellness are woven into the fabric of daily life, and every young person has the foundation to flourish.
Background & Context
It is well documented that mental health concerns among youth in the United States have risen over the last decade (CDC, 2024) and that youth mental health has been identified as a national public health challenge (Office of the Surgeon General, 2021). Recent data indicate that more than one-third of adolescents experiencing mental health concerns do not receive the services they need (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2020). And yet, even amid these challenges, young people continue to demonstrate an incredible vision for the future and capacity for change.
Schools have been increasingly recognized as critical environments for both supporting youth mental health and identifying mental health issues early (Sekhar et al., 2021). In Colorado, although there have been some improvements in mental health outcomes in recent years, youth mental health remains a top concern statewide (Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, 2023). In Boulder County specifically, access to behavioral health services remains limited, with persistent gaps in provider availability (Health Resources and Services Administration, 2025).
Primary Aims
In the context of our Research Practice Partnership with Boulder Valley School District, we sought to develop an understanding of the state of student mental health in the district learning from the perspectives of students themselves, educators, and families. Using the Crown Institute’s research design cycle, the first year of this project aimed to identify and understand bright spots and opportunities for growth in order to identify areas for collaborative design and recommendations for action.
Research Methods
Using a mixed methods approach, data collected through surveys, student and educator focus groups, and interviews was used to investigate key questions related to student mental health. Surveys were administered in a cross-sectional design to students, educators, and families.
Key Findings & Publications / Presentations
Currently completing data analysis.
Triangulating mental health perspectives: Voices of students, families, and educators (Session SY034). Onofrietti Magrassi, Zigarelli, Reininger, and Lawrence. NASP 2026 Annual Convention.
Contact to Learn More
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2013–2023. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/yrbs/dstr/index.html
Office of the Surgeon General. (2021). Protecting Youth Mental Health: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-youth-mentalhealth-advisory.pdf
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. https://www.samhsa.gov/data
Sekhar, D. L., Baiden, P., Li, T., Crutchfield, J. M., Lehman, E. B., & Demidenko, M. I. (2021). Screening in high schools to identify, evaluate, and lower depression among adolescents: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Network Open, 4(11), e2131836. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.31836
Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. (2023). Estimated SUD Encounters per Adult Age 18+ (potential SUD HPSA map). https://cdphe.maps.arcgis.com/apps/SimpleViewer/index.html?appid=9f17f6155cde42aab58b0ccf65a179d5
Health Resources and Services Administration. (2025). Medically underserved areas/health professional shortage areas (HPSA). https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/shortage-area