EMBRACE RESILIENCE: MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS IN BURKE COUNTY, NC

Educational access and quality are critical social determinants of adolescent and long-term health. Research demonstrates a strong bidirectional relationship between childhood mental health and quality education (Kondirolli et al., 2022; Chu T et al., 2023; Jakovljevic et al., 2016). Burke County, North Carolina, a rural area with 88,881 residents (U.S. Census, 2023), ranks 95th in educational attainment in the state. Recently, the county has witnessed a decline in student mental health, leading to the implementation of a multi-tiered intervention aimed at addressing academic, social, and mental health needs within schools (Burke County Public Schools, 2022). However, the program lacks a preventative education component. This proposal outlines a strategic plan to enhance educational access and quality by integrating evidence-based mental health education initiatives into public middle schools in Burke County.