Provide school-based and community-based shared language. Strength relationships between mental health providers, school staff and community at large

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1 Elizabeth Levine Brown George Mason University Christina Scanlon University of Pittsburgh

2 Enhance teacher knowledge and understanding Provide school-based and community-based shared language Strength relationships between mental health providers, school staff and community at large

3 Many mental health resources are written utilizing the terms, acronyms, and language of school mental health. Often, teachers (and other school-based personnel) are not trained on school mental health language. By paying attention to readability, we can make school mental health language and communications better understood by a larger audience.

4 Readability looks at: Words Sentences Synonyms Vocabulary Syllables Longer words, longer sentences equals lower readability Shorter sentences and simple word choices equals higher readability By paying attention to readability, we can eliminate misunderstandings due to profession-specific language and better support teachers when working with students who have or are suspected of having emotional or behavioral problems.

5 A maladaptive pattern of substance use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by three (or more) of the following, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period: 1. Tolerance, as defined by either of the following: a need for markedly increased amounts of the substance to achieve intoxication or desired effect markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of the substance 2.Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following: the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance (refer to Criteria A and B of the criteria sets for Withdrawal from the specific substances) the same (or a closely related) substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms 3.The substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended 4.There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use 5.A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance (e.g., visiting multiple doctors or driving long distances), use the substance (e.g., chain-smoking), or recover from its effects\ 6.Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use 7.The substance use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance (e.g., current cocaine use despite recognition of cocaine-induced depression, or continued drinking despite recognition that an ulcer was made worse by alcohol consumption) ~Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fouth edition, Third Revision (DSM-IV-TR)

6 A disease that includes four symptoms: Craving A strong need, or urge, to drink. Loss of control Not being able to stop drinking once drinking has begun. Physical dependence Withdrawal symptoms, such as upset stomach, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety after stopping drinking. Tolerance The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get high.

7 A maladaptive pattern of substance use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by three (or more) of the following, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period: 1. Tolerance, as defined by either of the following: a need for markedly increased amounts of the substance to achieve intoxication or desired effect markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of the substance 2. Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following: the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance (refer to Criteria A and B of the criteria sets for Withdrawal from the specific substances) the same (or a closely related) substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms 3. The substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended 4. There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use 5. A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance (e.g., visiting multiple doctors or driving long distances), use the substance (e.g., chainsmoking), or recover from its effects\ 6. Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use 7. The substance use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance (e.g., current cocaine use despite recognition of cocaine-induced depression, or continued drinking despite recognition that an ulcer was made worse by alcohol consumption) A disease that includes four symptoms: Craving A strong need, or urge, to drink. Loss of control Not being able to stopdrinking once drinking has begun. Physical dependence Withdrawal symptoms, such as upset stomach, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety after stopping drinking. Tolerance The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get high. High Difficulty Low Difficulty

8 Lets practice how you would assess the readability of a published mental health communication for teachers.

9 A teacher s understanding of school mental health extends beyond his/her ability to read a communication. It involves also the oral communication between the mental health provider and teacher. Let s see how this might look! What do you think the teacher understood in this scenario? What the information presented readable (i.e., understood)?

10 1. If what you are saying was printed on paper, would it be readable? 1. Will teachers understand the terms you are using?

11 THANK YOU!