Building Safer Schools: Proactive Mental Health Workshops to Reduce School Violence

Outline

1. Introduction and Overview (10 minutes)
• Present Fordham’s partnership with the Department of Justice’s STOP School Violence Program, its objectives, and the context of high-crime NYC areas.

2. Mental Health Workshops Framework (15 minutes)
• Describe the structure of the workshops delivered to school personnel and students.
• Overview of the trauma-sensitive, culturally responsive, and social-emotional learning strategies taught.

3. Implementation Strategies (20 minutes)
• Step-by-step guidance on implementing these workshops in schools.
• Collaboration with school safety agents, administrators, and mental health professionals.
• Case study examples from NYC schools to demonstrate successful implementation.

4. Audience Engagement (10 minutes)
• Interactive Q&A session where participants share their own school’s challenges.
• Group activity to develop a customized action plan for participants’ schools.

5. Research and Evidence (5 minutes)
• Present and have participants research their own school or district’s research supporting the effectiveness of trauma-sensitive approaches and restorative justice in reducing school violence.

6. Closing and Takeaways (5 minutes)
• Summarize key points.
• Provide resources and templates for participants to take back to their schools.

Supporting research

The STOP School Violence Act of 2018 seeks to improve school security by providing students and teachers with the tools they need to recognize, respond quickly to, and prevent acts of violence. Both the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) offer grants to improve security within our Nation's schools and on school grounds through evidence-based programs.
https://bja.ojp.gov/program/stop-school-violence-program/overview

CDC Report on Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being in Schools: This report emphasizes the importance of schools as environments that can support mental health through education, prevention, and early intervention. It highlights that promoting mental health in schools can improve student behavior, school engagement, and peer relationships, which are all critical factors in reducing violence. Schools in high-crime areas benefit from integrating these strategies as part of a broader approach to improve overall safety and student outcomes​.
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/mental-health-action-guide/index.html
CDC

School-Based Mental Health Services and School Violence Prevention: According to the American Counseling Association, increased access to mental health services in schools can reduce suspensions, reduce the use of force, and enhance students’ feelings of safety. Implementing these services helps address behavioral issues before they escalate into violent incidents. This evidence underscores the need for comprehensive mental health support to prevent violent behaviors in schools​.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12310-017-9216-5