New Reports in New England Journal of Medicine & Journal of School Health Support Mental Health Screening for Youth

NEW YORK, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ — The prestigious New England Journal of Medicine and the American School Health Association’s Journal of School Health have published articles supporting a national initiative for mental health screening and cite Columbia University’s TeenScreen Program.

“When implemented with appropriate family, school, and community involvement, mental health screening in schools has the potential to be a cornerstone of a transformed mental health system,” state the authors (Weist, et al.) in the Journal of School Health. They continue, “Screening, as part of a coordinated and comprehensive school mental health program, complements the mission of schools, identifies youth in need, links them to effective services and contributes to positive educational outcomes valued by families, schools and communities.”

Both journals identify the need for screening programs to assist in the early identification of mental illness in students, especially those with internalizing disorders such as depression, anxiety or suicide ideation, who may not be as easily recognized by school personnel, parents or health professionals. According to the Journal of School Health, of the 27% of youth estimated to suffer from depression, anxiety and acting-out behavioral problems, as few as one sixth to one third of these youth receive any help.

According to Laurie Flynn, Executive Director of the National TeenScreen Program, “Almost 17% of U.S. high school students seriously consider suicide with approximately half of those attempting suicide at least once. TeenScreen was developed to reach out to those teenagers who appear to be happy, engaged students, but who are suffering in silence from undetected mental illness.”

Richard A. Friedman, M.D., author of The New England Journal of Medicine piece, alludes to a “silent epidemic,” stating that, “the majority of mental illness in young people goes unrecognized and untreated, leaving them vulnerable to emotional, social and academic impairments during a critical phase of their lives.” He further notes that, “Parents are unaware of 90% of suicide attempts made by teenagers and the vast majority of teens who attempt suicide give no warning to parents, siblings or friends.”

Both articles also report that the 2003 President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health specifically recommended increased screening for suicidality and mental illness. The Commission also endorsed the Columbia University TeenScreen Program as a model program.

The TeenScreen Program, developed by researchers at Columbia University, is one of the most established mental health check-up and suicide prevention screening programs in the country, with more than 450 sites in 42 states across the United States. The TeenScreen Program screens for the risk factors associated with depression and other mental illnesses, but does not make a diagnosis. The voluntary program provides parents with information about a possible problem and helps to link families to qualified health professionals who can perform a complete assessment. The TeenScreen Program is voluntary and requires parent consent and teen assent for participation. All TeenScreen records and activities are confidential.

Dr. Friedman asserts, “It is accepted medical practice for teenagers to get frequent physical checkups, even though the odds of finding a serious physical disease in this population are very small. In contrast, the chance that a teen has a treatable psychiatric illness is nearly 21%.” He concludes, “How can we not routinely screen young people for mental illness when it is such an important cause of suffering and death?”

To access these articles and for additional information about the Columbia University TeenScreen Program, visit: http://www.teenscreen.org/.

Columbia University TeenScreen Program

CONTACT: Pattie Haubner, Deputy Dir., Public Affairs,T. +1-646-792-1121, C. +1-914-589-5635, HaubnerP@childpsych.columbia.edu

Web site: http://www.teenscreen.org/