Stakeholders' perceptions of children's mental health preparedness for bioterrorism attack

This seminal, descriptive study examined perceptions held by stakeholders, in this case, teachers and nurses in Texas public schools. Teachers and Nurses have a stake in the mental health of school children and can be supportive or non-supportive. The teachers and nurses are also responsible and are the first responders in a bioterrorism event. The administration of a self-administered questionnaire was designed to indicate differences in perception of the presence of mental health planning in bioterrorism preparedness plans, the presence and use of school resources to address the mental health needs of children in Texas in preparation for a bioterrorist attack, and the community knowledge of the presence of bioterrorism preparedness plans for children in Texas, with particular attention to the area of mental health. Data were gathered from eight selected public school districts in Texas. A random sample of 2 elementary, two middle and two high schools were chosen in each district. A teacher and a nurse were selected by the principal of each school to respond to the survey. The return rate of the survey was 54.2% and 100% of the districts had at least one responder return the questionnaire. This study explored whether there are differences in perceptions of stakeholders using the methodology of analysis using SPSS. The study was conducted from a quantitative, descriptive perspective, using a purposive sample. Statistical analysis of the three research questions indicated there were no differences in perceptions between teachers when compared to those of nurses in two of the three questions.;In question one, there was no difference in the perceptions of teachers when compared to those of nurses when asked if there is mental health planning present in bioterrorism preparedness plans in the schools.;Question two asked if there were funds present and used for mental health needs of children in Texas prior to a bioterrorist attack. Nurses were 2.9 times more likely than teachers to respond positively regarding the funds being present and used for the mental health needs of the school children in their district.;Question three revealed no differences in the perceptions of teachers when compared to those of nurses of whether the community had knowledge of bioterrorism plans in the schools. Overall, 88.5% believe their community has no knowledge of bioterrorism plans in the schools.;The study revealed a substantial lack of mental health preparedness for bioterrorism events in the schools.