A preliminary investigation of universal mental health screening practices in schools

an article by Brandon J. Wood (University of Toledo, USA) and Terry McDaniel (Indiana State University, Terre Haute, USA) published in Children and Youth Services Review Volume 112 (May 2020)

Highlights

• 98.8% of schools sampled are not actively conducting universal mental health screening (UMHS).
• Most principals (74.6%) reported a moderate or extreme level of interest in conducting UMHS.
• An overwhelming number (74.6%) of principals possess minimal or no knowledge about UMHS.

Abstract

Many school-aged children possessing or displaying characteristics of a mental health disorder go unidentified and untreated (Flisher et al., 1997; Merikangas et al., 2010; Ringel and Sturm, 2001).

One supported approach, within an educational setting, to improve identification of children presenting mental health concerns is universal mental health screening (UMHS; Glover and Albers, 2007). Using survey methodology, the current study sought to build upon previous research by investigating the proportion of schools currently conducting UMHS and exploring barriers and other factors influencing the conducting of UMHS within schools.

Despite its widespread support, nearly every Indiana school principal in the current study (n = 245) reported that their school does not conduct UMHS. A lack of access to and funding for mental health screeners were the two most commonly reported reasons why principals sampled suggested that their school does not conduct UMHS.

Without the increased adoption and implementation of preventative, proactive practices, such as the conducting of UMHS in schools, significant improvements in the identification and subsequent intervention or treatment of children and adolescents demonstrating mental health concerns may remain unrealised.

Labels:
mental_health, children, adolescents, schools, prevention, Universal_Screening,

Hazel’s comment:

I knew nothing about screening for mental health issues in schools but it certainly seemed, on the surface at least, to be “a good thing” so I went surfing down the rabbit hole of Internet search.

And found some items that might interest you if you have got this far. The first two are from the USA, the third is from the UK.

Universal Mental Health Screening in Pediatric Primary Care: A Systematic Review (2013)

The case for universal mental health screening in schools (2019)

Bring in universal mental health checks in schools (2013)
I wish, oh how I wish, that mental health checks had been in place when I was young and even more do I wish that they could be in place in all schools.

---