Elements of Successful School Reentry After Psychiatric Hospitalization

Abstract

Psychiatric hospitalization is an intensive intervention designed to stabilize adolescents who are experiencing an acute mental health crisis. Reintegrating to school after discharge from psychiatric hospitalization can be overwhelming for many adolescents (E. V. Clemens, L. E. Welfare, & A. M. Williams, 2010). The authors used a consensual qualitative research approach (C. E. Hill et al., 2005; C. E. Hill, B. J. Thompson, & E. N. Williams, 1997) to explore 14 mental health professionals’ perceptions regarding assets and barriers to adolescents’ successful school reintegration after psychiatric hospitalization. The authors describe the implications for educators and parents derived from participant interviews.

Keywords:

• adolescent
• mental health
• psychiatric hospitalization
• school
• school reentry