“Lost in Transition”: A Systematic Mixed Studies Review of Problems and Needs Associated with School Reintegration After Psychiatric Hospitalization

School Supports for Reintegration Following a Suicide-Related Crisis: A Mixed Methods Study Informing Hospital Recommendations for Schools During Discharge

“…Thus, another important consideration for hospital providers is the extent to which the school their patients return to is prepared to support their return. Because findings from the current study, and previous work (e.g., [ 1 ]), outline some of the strategies employed by schools to support student return, hospital providers may also consider integrating some of these approaches into their recommendations for schools (especially those located in rural areas).…”

“…Findings from school professional survey respondents and interviewees conducted in one southeastern state of the US revealed themes similar to those reported in previous studies. Stigma related to mental health remains a pressing concern across settings [7,9], limited communication can be a barrier to effective supports and services for returning youth [1,9], and students and families may face enormous stressors when reacclimating to normal routines [5][6][7]. Moreover, the types of modifications and interventions available to returning students, as well as the individuals (i.e., school counselors) supporting re-entry in schools, identified in the current study appear comparable to findings from those found nationally in our previous works [2].…”

“…Findings from research conducted with children and adolescents during psychiatric hospitalization suggest the need for inpatient procedures to address school-related issues, and also identify the importance of discharge planning that attends to the transition from hospital to school [ 6 ]. Such supports and services should be tailored to the individual needs and circumstances of the patient [ 1 ], as well as the individual context of the school. Although school and hospital providers have noted the importance of providing schools with discharge summaries and recommendations for supporting student reintegration, school professionals have described instances where recommendations provided by hospitals may be unrealistic in school settings [ 12 ].…”

“…-School Professional Because schools are a primary discharge environment for adolescents hospitalized for a suicide-related crisis, an increasing number of studies have begun to explore best practice for supporting adolescents during school reintegration [1]. These foundational studies have surveyed school psychologists about existing practice [2], identified provider perceptions of facilitators and barriers to re-entry [3,4], and begun to centralize adolescent [5][6][7] and family [8] experiences during their return.…”

“…Collectively, practitioners and researchers have called for improved communication between hospitals, families, and schools during and following discharge [1,9,11]. Findings from research conducted with children and adolescents during psychiatric hospitalization suggest the need for inpatient procedures to address school-related issues, and also identify the importance of discharge planning that attends to the transition from hospital to school [6].…”