CAPSTONE PROJECT CHANGE PROPOSAL 1
Increased Access to Mental Health Services for Adolescents in the High School Setting
Judith Grosland
Grand Canyon University
NRS-465: Applied Evidence-Based Project and Practicum
Dr. Jean M. Collins
December 8, 2024
,CAPSTONE PROJECT CHANGE PROPOSAL 2
Increased Access to Mental Health Services for Adolescents in the High School Setting
Mental Health issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress are increasingly prevalent
among adolescents and can have long-term consequences for their academic performance, social
relationships, and overall well-being. According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), around 37% of high school students reported experiencing persistent feelings
of sadness or hopelessness in 2019, a marker for depression (CDC, 2020). Additionally, a study
by the National Institute of Mental Health reports that anxiety disorders affect nearly one in three
adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 (NIMH, 2020). The proposed capstone project change
proposal focuses on identifying the prevalence and contributing factors of these mental health
challenges, as well as the available resources for students.
Problem Statement
High school adolescents increasingly face mental health issues, with anxiety and
depression being among the most prevalent, significantly impacting their well-being, academic
performance, and future outcomes. However, limited access to in-school mental health services
creates barriers to early intervention and support (Panchal et al., 2022). While some schools
provide counseling or telehealth options, others lack these resources, leaving students without
crucial mental health support. This discrepancy may lead to untreated symptoms, poor academic
outcomes, and increased risk of long-term mental health issues. Addressing this gap through
increased school-based mental health services could potentially improve mental health outcomes
and academic performance among affected students over an academic year.
Purpose of Proposal
Addressing mental health challenges in high school adolescent students is an important
priority. Students' academic performance and general quality of life may be negatively impacted
, CAPSTONE PROJECT CHANGE PROPOSAL 3
for some time by high rates of anxiety, depression, and bullying. Furthermore, student
adolescents' unmet mental health needs can result in behavioral problems that affect the entire
school setting, creating a vicious cycle of disengagement and poor results for both the impacted
students and their peers (Mead, 2023). In addition to improving individual results, implementing
a high school mental health needs assessment and interventions could make the school
atmosphere more welcoming and inclusive for all students. This clinical issue also has significant
implications for nursing practice, particularly for school and community health nurses who are
often on the front lines of addressing adolescent mental health. Nurses play an important role in
early identification, intervention, and referral to appropriate mental health services. If mental
health needs are not met, students may experience worsening symptoms, leading to an increased
risk of self-harm, suicide, and substance abuse. School nurses, who often act as the primary
healthcare providers for students, must be equipped with the necessary training and resources to
recognize and address these issues. Incorporating evidence-based practices into school health
programs is essential for improving student outcomes and promoting mental well-being.
PICOT Question
The following PICOT question focuses on access to mental health services for high
school adolescents and how it affects their mental health and academic performance overall. This
question will help evaluate the impact of enhancing mental health service accessibility in schools
and provide insights into whether increased support within the school setting can improve
students' mental health and academic outcomes:
“Among high school adolescents experiencing symptoms of mental health issues such as
anxiety and depression (P), how does increased access to in-school mental health services
such as on-site counselors or telehealth options (I), compared to limited or no school-
Increased Access to Mental Health Services for Adolescents in the High School Setting
Judith Grosland
Grand Canyon University
NRS-465: Applied Evidence-Based Project and Practicum
Dr. Jean M. Collins
December 8, 2024
,CAPSTONE PROJECT CHANGE PROPOSAL 2
Increased Access to Mental Health Services for Adolescents in the High School Setting
Mental Health issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress are increasingly prevalent
among adolescents and can have long-term consequences for their academic performance, social
relationships, and overall well-being. According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), around 37% of high school students reported experiencing persistent feelings
of sadness or hopelessness in 2019, a marker for depression (CDC, 2020). Additionally, a study
by the National Institute of Mental Health reports that anxiety disorders affect nearly one in three
adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 (NIMH, 2020). The proposed capstone project change
proposal focuses on identifying the prevalence and contributing factors of these mental health
challenges, as well as the available resources for students.
Problem Statement
High school adolescents increasingly face mental health issues, with anxiety and
depression being among the most prevalent, significantly impacting their well-being, academic
performance, and future outcomes. However, limited access to in-school mental health services
creates barriers to early intervention and support (Panchal et al., 2022). While some schools
provide counseling or telehealth options, others lack these resources, leaving students without
crucial mental health support. This discrepancy may lead to untreated symptoms, poor academic
outcomes, and increased risk of long-term mental health issues. Addressing this gap through
increased school-based mental health services could potentially improve mental health outcomes
and academic performance among affected students over an academic year.
Purpose of Proposal
Addressing mental health challenges in high school adolescent students is an important
priority. Students' academic performance and general quality of life may be negatively impacted
, CAPSTONE PROJECT CHANGE PROPOSAL 3
for some time by high rates of anxiety, depression, and bullying. Furthermore, student
adolescents' unmet mental health needs can result in behavioral problems that affect the entire
school setting, creating a vicious cycle of disengagement and poor results for both the impacted
students and their peers (Mead, 2023). In addition to improving individual results, implementing
a high school mental health needs assessment and interventions could make the school
atmosphere more welcoming and inclusive for all students. This clinical issue also has significant
implications for nursing practice, particularly for school and community health nurses who are
often on the front lines of addressing adolescent mental health. Nurses play an important role in
early identification, intervention, and referral to appropriate mental health services. If mental
health needs are not met, students may experience worsening symptoms, leading to an increased
risk of self-harm, suicide, and substance abuse. School nurses, who often act as the primary
healthcare providers for students, must be equipped with the necessary training and resources to
recognize and address these issues. Incorporating evidence-based practices into school health
programs is essential for improving student outcomes and promoting mental well-being.
PICOT Question
The following PICOT question focuses on access to mental health services for high
school adolescents and how it affects their mental health and academic performance overall. This
question will help evaluate the impact of enhancing mental health service accessibility in schools
and provide insights into whether increased support within the school setting can improve
students' mental health and academic outcomes:
“Among high school adolescents experiencing symptoms of mental health issues such as
anxiety and depression (P), how does increased access to in-school mental health services
such as on-site counselors or telehealth options (I), compared to limited or no school-
