‘Paraprofessionals’ An Important Mental Health Resource For U.S. School Children Living In Poverty

According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, 43 per cent of children in the United States live in low-income families. According to Children International, children living in poverty are more likely to suffer from mental health problems.

A new study published in the Journal of Community Psychology, (A qualitative study to explore paraprofessionals’ role in school-based prevention and early intervention mental health services), takes a look at the role of paraprofessionals in high-need communities.

Paraprofessionals act as liaisons between community mental health agencies, families and schools. Although they don’t have the same level of training as mental health workers or teachers, studies have shown that especially in immigrant and low-income communities, paraprofessionals play an important role in helping families navigate the mental health system.