Students with Mental Health Concerns/Issues in Public Schools, and How Recreation Therapy is Used as a Related Service
Session Description (for use in the program and for marketing purposes)
RT interventions and supports are vital to supporting mental health efforts in the public-school setting. Recreational therapists can promote healthy academic and non-academic development in all children as a valued member of the school’s integrative strategies to support students with mental health and learning disorders. This session will increase participant understanding on recreational therapy’s niché on the multi-disciplinary team along with other related services such as counseling, psychology, and social work. Participants will learn how RT services are delivered for students with mental health diagnoses including the referral process, use of standardized assessments, development of goals and objectives, interventions and supports used, and the evaluation processes. An interactive discussion will explore the trends and issues of mental health services and RT in the school system to improve mental health and educational attainment for students.