Brain Doctors: Evaluating a Mental Health Initiative for Elementary Students.

Background: Brain Doctors is a community-engaged mental health education program developed using the Food Doctors model to enhance third-grade students' understanding of self and community wellness. This study serves as an evaluation of the pilot program.

Methods: Two dynamic, interactive 1-hour sessions were created, with pre-session and post-session assessments used to measure student growth. The sessions were presented at 2 elementary schools in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by medical students. Feedback was gathered through participant satisfaction surveys following each session.

Results: Student feedback indicated that most participants had a positive experience with the program. Pre-assessment (n = 116) and post-assessment (n = 125) results revealed areas of improvement and areas where performance declined.

Discussion: The elementary students' positive response demonstrated their enthusiasm for the program. This study affirmed our perception that elementary and medical students can engage meaningfully in emotional wellness education.