At the 2025 American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting & Expo in Washington, D.C., two South Carolina researchers showcased how school bus drivers can play a crucial role in supporting student mental health.
Joan McFadden Harris, Project Coordinator, and Dr. Cindye Richburg Cotton, Principal Investigator with the Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center’s Mental Health Awareness Training Initiative, presented findings from a pioneering effort to equip bus drivers with Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) skills.
“Bus drivers are often the first and last adults students see each day,” Harris explained. “That puts them in a unique position to notice when something seems off.”
In 2024, 133 school bus drivers completed an eighthour MHFA course designed to help nonclinical school
staff recognize warning signs of mental distress, de-escalate crises, and connect students to help. The course used the national MHFA Action Plan to teach drivers practical strategies for early intervention.
Data from pre- and posttraining assessments revealed significant gains in mental health literacy. The overall correct response rate on knowledge tests rose from 3 8 % to 49 % , an 11-point
increase. One key question— whether it’s appropriate to ask a student if they are feeling suicidal—saw correct answers jump from 3 5 % before training to 5 5 % afterward.
The impact extended beyond classroom learning. Within 90 days of completing the course, bus drivers referred 248 students to mental health resources, demonstrating how training can translate into realworld action.
“By investing in the drivers who spend every day with students, we’re building support where it matters most,” said Dr. Cotton. “They’re becoming first responders for emotional well-being.”
As schools across the country face rising youth mental health challenges, the Brookland-Lakeview model offers a scalable approach. By turning daily bus rides into opportunities for observation and connection, schools can strengthen their safety nets without overburdening clinical staff.
“Our presentation at APHA highlighted how a compassionate conversation on the bus can be the first step to help,” Harris said. “Transportation can be more than just getting kids to school—it can be a pathway to care.”
For more information, contact Joan M. Harris at jharris@brookland.cc or Dr. Cindye Richburg Cotton at crichburgcotton@brookland.cc.
