School systems face significant economic and clinical challenges in managing childhood anxiety. Recent pilot research highlights the potential of school nurses to implement cost-efficient cognitive behavioral interventions, offering both financial relief and improved mental health outcomes for students.
Study Overview
Researchers conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial involving 30 school nurses who administered either the Child Anxiety Learning Modules (CALM), focusing on cognitive behavioral techniques, or CALM-R, which emphasizes relaxation skills, to 54 elementary students exhibiting elevated anxiety levels. The study aimed to evaluate the affordability and effectiveness of these interventions in real-world educational settings.
Findings and Implications
The results revealed that CALM proved more cost-effective, with implementation costs offset by subsequent reductions in resource use across school, family, and health systems. Specifically, CALM students showed a 60% responder rate compared to 35% for those who received CALM-R. This indicates that cognitive behavioral strategies not only alleviate anxiety more effectively but also lessen the economic burden associated with supporting anxious students.
Key takeaways from the study:
- Implementing cognitive behavioral interventions via school nurses can lead to significant cost savings.
- CALM demonstrates higher efficacy in reducing anxiety symptoms among children compared to relaxation-based approaches.
- Economic benefits arise from decreased reliance on additional support services post-intervention.
School-based cognitive behavioral programs, particularly CALM, present a viable strategy for mitigating childhood anxiety both economically and clinically. By leveraging the existing role of school nurses, educational institutions can address mental health concerns more sustainably, ultimately fostering a healthier and more supportive learning environment for students.
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