Replies

I think there is already a screening program in place. From the report:

Figure 4.2. Model Program: Screening Program for Youth

Program

Columbia University TeenScreen® Program

Goal

To ensure that all youth are offered a mental health check-up before graduating from high school. TeenScreen® identifies and refers for treatment those who are at risk for suicide or suffer from an untreated mental illness.

Features

All youngsters in a school, with parental consent, are given a computer-based questionnaire that screens them for mental illnesses and suicide risk. At no charge, the Columbia University TeenScreen® Program provides consultation, screening materials, software, training, and technical assistance to qualifying schools and communities. In return, TeenScreen® partners are expected to screen at least 200 youth per year and ensure that a licensed mental health professional is on-site to give immediate counseling and referral services for youth at greatest risk. The Columbia TeenScreen® Program is a not-for-profit organization funded solely by foundations. When the program identifies youth needing treatment, their care is paid for depending on the family's health coverage.

Outcomes

The computer-based questionnaire used by TeenScreen® is a valid and reliable screening instrument.151 The vast majority of youth identified through the program as having already made a suicide attempt, or at risk for depression or suicidal thinking, are not in treatment.152 A follow-up study found that screening in high school identified more than 60% of students who, four to six years later, continued to have long-term, recurrent problems with depression and suicidal attempts.153

Biggest challenge

To bridge the gap between schools and local providers of mental health services. Another challenge is to ensure, in times of fiscal austerity, that schools devote a health professional to screening and referral.

How other organizations can adopt

The Columbia University TeenScreen® Program is pilot-testing a shorter questionnaire, which will be less costly and time-consuming for the school to administer. It is also trying to adapt the program to primary care settings.

Website

www.teenscreen.org

Figure 4.2. Model Program: Screening Program for Youth ...the problem IMO comes in trying to move to a system which would evaluate the "entire" US population - many schools have screening programs of one form or another adapted to their own needs and resources, but extending them all over the country for every child would be a real problem - "model" or "demonstration" social services programs are notorious for losing effectiveness once they are expanded to serve larger populations, in part because the people who started them with dedication and enthusiasm are eventually replaced by other "administrators" who don't have the same verve and skills as the originals - even the "outcomes" of this program seem weak - for instance do we really need any screening program at all to know that the "vasr majority" of students with problems are not in treatment? - I'm sure the psychiatric and psychological associations will be all for such a scheme as a great make-work project for their members, but as an effective and meaningful program for the country, it seems a non-starter.....

All youngsters in a school, with parental consent, are given a computer-based questionnaire that screens them for mental illnesses and suicide risk.

Happytalk Slogantime(tm)!

"Computer-based, so you know it's good!"

Welcome to the future.

Man, it really sucks here.

PS: gotta love that "with parental consent" part, eh? (Do you really want to know what will happen if you don't consent?)