A Structured Conceptualization of Implementation-Sensitive Interventions for School Mental Health

Abstract

Implementation-sensitive approaches to school mental health have been proposed as being responsive to the needs of the education system. We worked with a group of expert stakeholders to identify a wide range of characteristics of implementation-sensitive approaches. These statements (n = 50) were sorted into concepts by 20 participants. Participants also ranked the importance of each statement. Group concept mapping created a six-concept solution including (1) Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, (2) Implementation Informed from the Outset, (3) Intervention Characteristics, (4) Evidence, Theory, and Practice-Informed, (5) Authentic Stakeholder Engagement, and (6) Ongoing Learning and Sustainability. We subsequently conducted two focus groups to gather feedback and contextualize the clusters.