Our Impact
Since its inception, T2U has reached over 26,790 students, parents/caregivers, and school personnel in Northern Manhattan.
Study participant outcomes*
- 40% decrease in depression/anxiety symptoms and 21% decrease in disruptive symptoms in high-risk students
- 20% decrease in mental health stigma in school staff
- 17% increase in school staff confidence in addressing students' mental health needs
- 15% decrease in absences
- 15% improved standardized test scores in English and Language Arts, and 7% in Math
Select school outcomes
- 60% decrease in multiple unscheduled guidance visits over two years
- 60% decrease in disciplinary actions over two years
*% reflects students and school personnel who participated in the program evaluation study
Publications
- Three publications
- Poster presentation at the Annual Conference on Advancing School Mental Health in December 2023
Program Evaluation
Several program evaluations were conducted to ensure the efficacy of our program and its ability to have a positive impact on the school communities it serves. To learn more about the program's impact, see the links below.
Evelyn Montañez, Evelyn Berger-Jenkins, James Rodriguez, Mary McCord, Dodi Meyer, Turn 2 Us: Outcomes of an Urban Elementary School-based Mental Health Promotion and Prevention Program Serving Ethnic Minority Youths, Children & Schools, Volume 37, Issue 2, April 2015, Pages 100–107, https://doi.org/10.1093/cs/cdv004
Link: https://academic.oup.com/cs/article-abstract/37/2/100/452645
Raval G, Montañez, E, Meyer D, Berger-Jenkins E. School-based mental health promotion and prevention program ˜ "Turn 2 Us" reduces mental health risk behaviors in urban, minority youth. J Sch Health. 2019; DOI: 10.1111/josh.12805In a study currently being submitted for publication (2011-2013) reports indicated:
Link: https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12805
Montañez, E., Finkel, M.A., Flanagan, J. et al. Turn 2 Us: Supporting Mental Health Literacy of School Personnel in Majority Latinx, Urban Elementary Schools. School Mental Health 15, 1102–1112 (2023).
Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-023-09605-x
Community Voices
Mr. Chung, Assistant Principal at PS 48M, 2023:
“Before the Turn 2 Us team, it was difficult to manage the Sports League, but their presence really helped bring structure and order and for the first time in a long time, everyone felt heard, validated and supported.”
Mr. Case, ICT Classroom Teacher at PS 48M, 2023:
“The Turn 2 Us program has been a key ally in our school’s effort to support our students' overall well-being. Through the use of sports teams, this program and its staff have created meaningful connections with students who otherwise lacked access. With access to staff who play the role of mentor for our student-athletes and mental health educators for teachers like myself, the Turn 2 Us program has had a positive impact on how our students view themselves and their abilities. Through goal setting with our student-athletes and constant communication with teachers, the Turn 2 Us program has helped our students grow academically, athletically, and emotionally.”
Ms. Alvarez, Sports Youth Development League Coach at PS 115M, 2023:
“The program, Turn 2 Us (T2U), benefits students, staff, and our school by promoting mental health and academic success in at-risk children. T2U empowers the entire school community, including students, parents/caregivers, and school staff, to adopt healthy lifestyle practices that enhance well-being. By enhancing mental health literacy among school personnel and parents/caregivers, T2U ensures that our youths' emotional, social, and academic progress is effectively supported.
Overall, being a part of the inter-mural sports program has benefitted students, staff, and my school by promoting physical and mental health, fostering social connections, developing skills, strengthening school spirit, and enhancing academic performance.”