School-based health centers during academic disruption: Challenges and opportunity in urban mental health.
Leonell Torres-Pagán, Angelica Terepka
Abstract
School based health centers (SBHC) provide healthcare services to youth and their families. In response to the global health crisis from COVID-19, schools' closures have impacted the access to vital services during times of increased need for physical and mental healthcare. Youth of minority racial and ethnic backgrounds living in urban settings face compounding factors including adverse childhood events, economic disadvantages, and barriers to healthcare. The mental health response of SBHCs in New York City as it relates to population specific factors such as family supports, economic considerations, and healthcare correlates is explored. The role of school based health centers and recommendations for interventions addressing mental health concerns in youth during COVID-19 are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).