The impact of school counselors on children's mental health
Official title: School Counselors and Children's Mental Health
Funded at Rand Corporation · NIH-10757456 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how having more school counselors in California helps improve the mental health of middle and high school students, especially those who might not have had enough support before.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rand Corporation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Monica, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $94,200 |
| NIH project number | 5R03MH132119-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10757456 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children and adolescents in California who have experienced mental health challenges and attend schools with increased counselor access.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not in the age range of 0-21 or those who do not attend schools in California may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how increased access to school counselors in California affects children's mental health outcomes. It focuses on the Supplemental School Counseling Program, which provided funding for hiring more counselors in middle and high schools. By analyzing data on children's access to these counselors and their self-reported mental health, the study aims to understand the effectiveness of this policy in improving mental health services for students. The research highlights the importance of school-based mental health support, especially for underserved populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health services for children, particularly those from marginalized communities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that increasing access to school counselors can positively impact student mental health, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Rand Corporation
Santa Monica, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mulhern, Christine — Rand Corporation
- Study coordinator: Mulhern, Christine
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.