Use of A Trauma-Informed School-Based Program to Promote Mental Health and Psychological Well-Being in Middle Schools

Childhood adversity such as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), negatively impacts student learning and mental health. Trauma-informed, school-based approaches have emerged as essential in addressing these challenges. This study examines the efficacy of a trauma-informed intervention, Rise Above, for promoting emotional well-being among middle school students in urban settings. The Rise Above program was implemented in middle schools with high rates of ACEs and limited resources. This quasi-experimental study (N = 59) compared intervention and comparison groups on anxiety, depression, somatization, and overall distress. Pre- and post-test scores were analyzed using mixed-design ANOVAs, controlling for age and sex. Compared with the comparison group, intervention students showed greater reductions in depression (p = .040), anxiety (p = .046), and overall distress (p = .023). Findings highlight the potential of trauma-informed interventions.