Supporting School-Based Art Therapy in Rural Public Schools

Abstract

This study aimed to show the need for mental health services in a rural public school and how school-based art therapy would be feasible to address that need. This survey study used a mixed-methods approach of quantitative and qualitative data. There were 21 school staff members who participated in the survey, and two staff members who participated in an interview that was used to validate the findings. The participants were staff members at a rural public school in Indiana. The staff members were able to recognize that students struggle with their mental health by listing observed symptoms, but due to accessibility and affordability barriers, the students have limited resources. According to previous research, school-based art therapy has been beneficial in reducing the mental health symptoms that were reported in the survey.