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Improving Mental Health Outcomes For Young Children Through The Implementation Of The Primary Project, Mary Anne Peabody, Kristi L. Perryman, Margaret Hannah, Lynn Smith, Shelley M. Sanyshyn

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

Primary Project (formerly known as Primary Mental Health Project) is one of the longest standing and wellestablished school-based preventative mental health interventions for addressing the social, emotional, behavioral, and learning needs of preschool through primary grade children. Existing now for over 60 years and building on its historical antecedents, this article describes the history, current state, and future implications of Primary Project. We discuss children’s mental health needs and the role of the school in addressing these needs. We present Primary Project’s current research efforts with a specific focus on University-community studies in Arkansas and Massachusetts. Implications for future research …