Prevention Archives - National Wraparound Initiative (NWI)
Behavioral Threat Assessment in Schools: Evidence, Fit, and Appropriateness
October 30, 2023 | NWI
School violence, including school-based gun violence, is a major public health issue that has negative consequences for students, families, schools, and communities. One approach that schools have adopted to address school violence is behavioral threat assessment (BTA). This report describes the current state of BTA implementation and its effectiveness, and provides recommendations for schools, policymakers, funders, and researchers on addressing BTA use in schools.
Misdiagnosis of Mood Disorders in Black Teenagers
October 30, 2023 | NWI
Research shows that kids of color, specifically Black kids, may be more likely than white kids to get the wrong diagnosis when they show signs of a mood disorder. They might get written off as misbehaving. Or they might be wrongly diagnosed with a different disorder like conduct disorder. This article discusses why this might be happening and what can be done to ensure proper diagnosis.
Children Participating in Sports Have Better Long-Term Mental Health
September 24, 2023 | NWI
A new study that analyzed data on more than 4,200 children over an eight-year period has found children who regularly participate in sports from an early age will have better long term mental health.
What’s the Best Way to Praise Children?
September 24, 2023 | NWI
Research shows that calling kids gifted and talented isn’t the best way to praise them. Certain types of praise can inadvertently stunt a child’s performance. This blog and video describe how to praise children in a way that helps them develop a growth mindset.
Navigating SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) with Older Youth
September 24, 2023 | NWI
While many SEL programs and much of the research to date have focused on elementary school-aged children, more recent research shows that middle and high school-aged youth can also show substantial benefits from explicit opportunities for social and emotional development. This blog explores the benefits of and enabling conditions for high-quality SEL programs for young people in middle and high school.
‘Anti-Dopamine Parenting’ Can Curb Children’s Cravings
July 23, 2023 | NWI
Parents are constantly being told they have to limit how much junk food their children can eat or how long they allow them to use their devices. This can be a struggle, but neuroscientists now know what’s happening in a child’s brain that drives this overconsumption, and what parents can do to counteract the cravings that lead children to overconsume.
Predict, Prevent, Plan: A New Tool from John VanDenBerg
April 21, 2023 | NWI
Wraparound pioneer John VanDenBerg co-authored this article and accompanying video describing a new tool for dealing with traumatic events. The article also recounts how the authors used the tool in their own professions, lives, and family.
Engagement in Enjoyable Activities Promotes Mental Health
March 10, 2023 | NWI
A new systematic research review finds that interventions that promote youth and young adult participation in pleasurable activities has positive impacts on symptoms of depression and anxiety; and that such interventions may be developmentally well-suited to address young people’s mental health problems.
Tablet-Based Screening Doubles Detection of Youth Psychosis
March 10, 2023 | NWI
Asking young people to take a short survey on a tablet before their appointments may help mental health providers identify those at risk of psychosis. A new study found that when patients took a 21-question pre-visit survey, more than twice as many were identified at risk of psychosis compared to those who did not complete the survey.
Exercise Effective Against Depression
January 27, 2023 | NWI
Intervening with physical activity appears to mitigate depressive symptoms in children and adolescents, a systematic review and meta-analysis of almost 2,500 participants found.