Connecting the Dots Symposium Exposes Link Between Student Mental Health and Educational Outcomes in Tennessee

NASHVILLE- The State Collaborative On Reforming Education (SCORE) and NashvilleHealth hosted more than 200 community, education and mental health leaders today to explore ways to address challenges facing student mental health and its impact on educational outcomes in Tennessee. With nearly one in four Tennessee youth dealing with at least one of the 10 most common mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral problems, the& “Connecting the Dots: Mental Health and Student Success in Tennessee”& symposium held at Lipscomb University, provided a platform for stakeholders to share innovative programs, best practices and student-lived experiences. It also highlighted research gaps concerning the impact of mental health services on state education outcomes and included the release of the Belmont Data Collaborative’s new county-level data on mental well-being vulnerabilities in Tennessee. “Today we hope to inspire and connect state and national organizations working on research and programs supporting positive student mental health to elevate bright spots and highlight evidence-based work that could contribute to Tennessee programs,” said Senator Bill Frist, M.D., founder and board chairman of NashvilleHealth and SCORE said. The Belmont Data Collaborative’s& Connecting the Dots: Mental Health and Student Success in Tennessee report,& which was produced in partnership with SCORE and NashvilleHealth, created...