Guidelines for Implementing and Adapting Evidence-based Interventions with Marginalized Youth in Schools

With growing diversity within the US population and notable barriers to accessing behavioral health care, marginalized youth are placed at risk for developing psychosocial and mental health problems. Promoting evidence-based interventions (EBIs) through school-based mental health services may improve accessibility and quality of care for marginalized youth facing mental health disparities. Culturally sensitive interventions (CSIs) may further improve engagement with and effectiveness of EBIs with marginalized youth. In this paper, we provide guidelines for advancing CSIs when implementing and adapting EBIs with marginalized youth in schools. First, we emphasize inclusive strategies for advancing CSIs with marginalized youth in schools, focusing on anti-racist adaptations to interventions and using a community-based participatory research approach when implementing EBIs. Following, we discuss techniques for tailoring CSIs to more effectively support marginalized youth and their families with school-based prevention and treatment. Specifically, we recommend using the ASPIRE framework as a guide to promote equitable implementation as well as key strategies for engaging marginalized youth and their families with school-based EBIs. Ultimately, we offer these guidelines to address disparities and inform more equitable practice in youth mental health care—and to motivate future studies advancing culturally responsive mental health care with marginalized youth in schools.