Promoting Mental Wellness in Education with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Interventions

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to argue for the implementation of an education program that is effective at preventing mental disorders and promoting mental wellness. This interdisciplinary paper between the fields of education and clinical psychology expands upon the use of effective cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) components in educational settings. National statistics on mental disorders in American adolescents are first discussed in order to raise awareness for the severity of the mental disorder epidemic in America. This paper will then address the misperception of mental health and call for a paradigm shift to mental wellness in order to remove the deficit mindset of mental health in education. A comprehensive literature review focusing on the use of CBT within adolescents diagnosed with depression and anxiety will be examined. Next, the best practices of standardized CBT manuals like the Coping Cat, Penn Prevention Program (PPP), Adolescent Coping with Depression course (CWD-A), Treatment For Adolescents With Depression Study (TADS), and Taking ACTION will be reviewed. Substantial data driven evidence for curricular suggestions were found within the categories of CBT goals, assessments, homework assignments, teacher student relationships, classroom environments, and flexibility. These components are suggestions to be used in future manuals promoting CBT in school settings. Each suggestion detailed is proposed within the framework of mental wellness in education for a population without with mental diagnoses. Finally, future implications for the field of clinical psychology and education are made with a proposal of a new empirical study that addresses literature gaps.