Project data to help understand vulnerabilities related to social determinants of mental health for communities in Tennessee
The Belmont Data Collaborative released its new county- and zip code-level data showcasing vulnerabilities related to social determinants of mental health in Tennessee this week as part of the Connecting the Dots: Mental Health and Student Success in Tennessee symposium, hosted by the State Collaborative On Reforming Education (SCORE) and NashvilleHealth at Lipscomb April 3.
The symposium highlighted research gaps concerning the impact of mental health services on state education outcomes, bringing together more than 200 community, education and mental health leaders to explore ways to address challenges facing student mental health and its impact on educational outcomes in Tennessee.
Produced in partnership with SCORE and NashvilleHealth, the new BDC report created a Mental Well-Being Index for communities across 95 counties in the state. Findings include:
- At the county level, social determinants of mental health vulnerability in Tennessee forms clusters in the eastern and western parts of the state.
- The three most vulnerable counties in the state are Hancock, Lake and Haywood.
- The most vulnerable zip codes in the state are in Memphis and Chattanooga.
“We hope this research motivates stakeholders to take action to help address the crisis around mental health and student success in Tennessee, and that it is a catalyst to continue conversations that lead to lasting change for our state and for our young people,” said BDC Director Catherine Bass.
With nearly one in four Tennessee youth dealing with at least one of the 10 most common mental, emotional, developmental or behavioral problems, the symposium provided a platform for stakeholders to share innovative programs, best practices and student-lived experiences.
In addition to BDC’s new data, the event highlighted the Sycamore Institute’s latest report, Child Mental Health Programs and Services in Tennessee, and included panel discussions on Identifying Mental Health Needs in Education and Tennessee’s Approach to Supporting Student Mental Health and Well-Being with BDC panelist representation.
“We recognize this crisis is too big for just one group or policymaker to solve,” said Senator Bill Frist, M.D., founder and board chairman of NashvilleHealth and SCORE. “It cannot solely rest on the shoulders of schools, parents or health-care providers. It demands collective recognition and action from all of us to address this pressing issue.”
Visit SCORE’s symposium website to learn more about the event and download the “Connecting the Dots: Mental Health and Student Success in Tennessee” report.