8 Intervention strategies to support at-risk students

The term “at-risk students” describes students who are struggling academically, behaviorally, or emotionally. It can also include students dealing with difficult home life situations and challenges, such as financial instability or food insecurity. The different causes of stress in students​ can make learning next to impossible. Early and meaningful intervention is critical for these students. Without adequate support, they’re more likely to fall behind or drop out of school completely. 

Keep reading to learn how to help at-risk students​ succeed by finding a fulfilling educational path.

Why early intervention matters

Catching warning signs early on is the best way to support at-risk youth. Whether they’re struggling academically, socially, or emotionally, we know that timely intervention offers measurable benefits. 

Students who get help early often see benefits like: 

• Improved test scores
• Increased likelihood of graduating
• Stabilized emotional and mental well-being
• Better attendance
• Stronger social skills
• Healthier peer relationships
• Increased participation
• Fewer disciplinary incidents
• Better long-term outcomes
• Reduced likelihood of engaging in risky behavior

Waiting to act risks making things more overwhelming, complicated, and costly for both the student, their education,  and the school. Universal screening tools, such as GPA reviews, teacher check-ins, and social-emotional surveys, are crucial. They allow you to identify patterns you may or may not have already noticed. Subtle shifts in mood, increased missing assignments, repeated absences, and social struggles or inappropriate behavior can all be signs of deeper struggles a student is dealing with.

8 Ways to help at-risk students

The following eight intervention strategies for at-risk students are effective, proven tactics teachers and administrators can use starting today. They are easy to adopt and can offer significant benefits for any student who needs help.

1. Create personalized learning plans

No two students learn (or struggle) the same way. Personalized learning plans can be a powerful tool for students who are not achieving. They can help you celebrate a student’s strengths while addressing their challenges. You might need to give them extra time, more in-depth or hands-on practice, or explore different pathways that demonstrate their knowledge and skill mastery.

Creating a plan tailored to a student’s specific goals and learning style helps them feel motivated and seen. Studies consistently show that individualized education plans help students be more engaged and confident in their abilities. They can lead to greater success overall, both in and out of school.

2. Build strong mentorship connections

For students who aren’t finding success in school, having a teacher, counselor, or mentor in their corner can make all the difference. These are the people students can count on to listen and understand what they’re going through. They’ll offer study encouragement and support.

‍Research shows at-risk youth who have trusted mentors in their lives are less depressed and have better self-esteem. They aren’t as likely to engage in risky behaviors like drug or alcohol use, become affiliated with gangs, or be violent. They are also able to achieve better grades over time.

^{EXPERT INSIGHTS}
"It only takes one positive adult support to make a difference in the life of youth. Often times it’s the ability to lend a supportive ear and validate what the youth is going through that allows them to feel seen and heard."
_{- Laura Magnuson, MA, MS, LAMFT, VP of Clinical Engagement}

3. Provide targeted academic support

Just because a student has fallen behind doesn’t mean they can’t succeed. It simply means they need support that works for them. Accommodations for at-risk youth can include targeted academic support like tutoring, one-on-one or small group instruction, and tailored after-school support. For these at-risk students, it’s more than just test prep. Targeted support can build confidence and close skill gaps that might have developed.

^{EXPERT INSIGHTS}
"Oftentimes academic struggles and mental health struggles can go hand in hand. If a student feels like they are failing academically, it can lead to feelings of failure in other areas of their lives and impact feelings of self worth. When self-worth is compromised, it can often lead to feelings of depression."
_{- Laura Magnuson, MA, MS, LAMFT, VP of Clinical Engagement}

4. Ensure adequate mental health support

Mental health is as important as academic achievement. For students who’ve been through traumatic experiences, deal with anxiety or depression, or have other mental health concerns, school-based counseling and support groups will be a crucial part of their support system. 

Wellness clubs can be another safe place for students to seek help at the school and peer levels. It’s estimated that about half of youth mental healthcare today occurs in schools. Comprehensive care doesn't just address the crisis. It helps students grow, recover and believe they are valued, both in and out of school.

5. Support social-emotional and behavioral growth

Fostering social-emotional and behavioral growth supports students in the classroom, within the school community, and everywhere else in their lives. Social-emotional learning (SEL) activities for high school​ offer proven results. 

These activities can improve test scores, boost self-esteem, reduce emotional and mental distress, and build essential skills students need to succeed throughout school and life. SEL empowers students by teaching them critical life skills and helping them regain confidence so they can successfully navigate their educational journey.

6. Engage and partner with families

Families and caregivers play a vital role in at-risk students’ journeys. Research shows that when schools create strong partnerships with families, students are more successful. They can achieve higher test scores, their attendance rates improve, and they’re more likely to graduate. 

Schools can take the following steps to include families and caregivers:

• Committing to regular communication
• Inviting families to participate in goal setting
• Sharing resources to help caregivers support students outside of the school setting
• Hosting family nights or community events
• Offering parenting workshops
• Ensuring flexible meeting times
• Connecting families with community resources and support

^{EXPERT INSIGHTS}
"Families often see pieces that schools might not see related to youth well being. If a student is struggling at school it's beneficial that the family is aware and able to communicate what they are seeing at home. This approach can provide a wraparound support system for the student."
_{- Laura Magnuson, MA, MS, LAMFT, VP of Clinical Engagement}

7. Improve attendance and classroom engagement

Students who aren’t succeeding at school or who are dealing with traumatic life experiences often struggle with attendance. Students risk higher rates of absenteeism and are more likely to disengage from the classroom or their studies. Frequent absences can be both a sign and a cause of academic challenges. 

Research suggests that schools can help by implementing effective interventions for at-risk youth like:

• Offering mentorship programs
• Tracking attendance
• Having supportive and regular conversations with families
• Sending out informational mailers
• Creating classroom environments where students feel connected and safe
• Offering counseling and mental health services

8. Connect students with wraparound services

Some students need help beyond individual educational or emotional services. Wraparound services are a team-based structure that creates a group including educators, counselors, healthcare providers, school community members, and outside community organizations. Together, these groups work to ensure every aspect of a student’s well-being is supported. From food security to mental health support to stable housing to educational needs, wraparound services can make a critical difference in a student’s life. Studies show the approach delivers positive results for at-risk students. 

Supporting at-risk students starts with mental health

Helping at-risk students succeed goes beyond lesson plans and textbooks. It takes caring about the whole student, which includes emotional and mental healthcare. The interventions you put in place—from tutoring to counseling to wraparound supports—will be most successful when efforts are combined with a compassionate, holistic approach. 

Today’s schools are expanding mental healthcare access in creative ways. Flexible platforms like Talkspace ensure students have a convenient, affordable way to connect with licensed mental health professionals. Talkspace makes it simple for at-risk youth to get the support they need. By removing traditional barriers like inconvenient schedules and excessive costs, Talkspace can be a solution that reaches any at-risk student. It’s the ideal solution for district-wide needs or as part of a school-based mental health program. 

Mental healthcare shouldn’t be a luxury. It’s a necessity for students trying to overcome trauma, anxiety, or other challenges. Request a demo today to learn more about how Talkspace can be a part of your intervention strategies for helping at-risk students.

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Sources:

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1. Perez, Helen Grace L, and Minguela S Ting. “Effectiveness of Individualized Education Plans (IEPS), Role of Teacher Training and Peer Support for Special Needs Learners (SNED) in District of Cabuyao.” International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation 6, no. 2 (January 1, 2025): 1275–85. https://doi.org/10.54660/.ijmrge.2025.6.2.1275-1285. Accessed August 19, 2025.
2. Stricker, Michelle, and Marshall Johnson. “The Effects of Mentoring on At-Risk Youth,” n.d. https://minds.wisconsin.edu/bitstream/handle/1793/66821/Stricker.pdf?sequence=11&isAllowed=y. Accessed August 19, 2025.
3. Sarakatsannis, Jimmy, and Leah Pollack. “Addressing Youth Mental Health through School-Based Services.” McKinsey & Company, June 24, 2025. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/education/our-insights/addressing-youth-mental-health-through-school-based-services. Accessed August 19, 2025.
4. CASEL. “What Does the Research Say? - CASEL,” August 7, 2025. https://casel.org/fundamentals-of-sel/what-does-the-research-say/. Accessed August 19, 2025.
5. American Psychological Association. “Parent Engagement in Schools,” 2014. https://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/programs/safe-supportive/parental-engagement. Accessed August 19, 2025.
6. “Chronic Absenteeism: Best Practices to Increase Student Attendance - ERA-NOVA,” n.d. https://era.cehd.gmu.edu/resources/chronic-absenteeism. Accessed August 19, 2025.
7. Schurer Coldiron, Jennifer, Eric Jerome Bruns, Henrietta Quick, and University of Washington, Division of Public Behavioral Health and Justice Policy. “A Comprehensive Review of Wraparound Care Coordination Research, 1986 - 2014.” Journal of Child and Family Studies, 2017, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-016-0639-7. Accessed August 19, 2025.

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