When and How to Implement School-Based Mental Health Screenings
Providing school-based mental health screenings is one of the best ways to identify mental health issues when they’re most likely to arise. Many people who struggle with a mental health challenge show signs during their adolescent years. This means that school-based screenings could provide access to early intervention for student mental health – helping prevent mental health crises in students.
According to research published by the National Library of Medicine, puberty is a time of rapid growth in which notable changes in brain function and cognitive development occur.¹ Also, the teenage years involve a major shift in emotional growth and sense of identity. For these reasons, puberty is an ideal time for screening students for depression and other mental health issues.
Mental health interventions at any age can be beneficial. But intervening during these younger years gives a teen the greatest chance of driving true change, building resilience, and achieving long-term recovery.
If you’re concerned about a teenager’s mental well-being, a mental health professional can guide you on when and how to implement school-based mental health screenings. This article can also help by covering:
- What school-based mental health screenings are
- Why schools should prioritize mental health assessments
- When to screen students for mental health concerns
- How to implement mental health screenings in schools
- Challenges and ethical considerations with school mental health screenings
- Where to find support for communicating mental health in schools
What Are School-Based Mental Health Screenings?
Adolescent mental health evaluations are free screening programs that are much the same as physical check-ups with a doctor, except they’re psychological. These mental health assessments in schools are carried out to identify students who may be at risk of mental health challenges.
The screening process can involve controlled questionnaires, parent and teacher observations, and structured selection processes.² The main goal of these screenings is to ensure that potential mental health issues can be noticed early on. This way, the most appropriate interventions and support can be given to the student.
At Mission Prep, our mental health screenings at schools are designed to support students with the utmost privacy and discretion. We can help schools implement and access resources and educate on how to use school-specific data to provide more support and intervention for students in need.
Why Schools Should Prioritize Mental Health Assessments
School-based psychological assessments should be prioritized as a proactive way to support the well-being of students while improving academic outcomes and driving healthy development. When potential mental health concerns are noticed early on, the school can provide early intervention and create a more supportive environment for learning.
As a result of this early support, school standards can improve, and students are able to thrive in education, which essentially sets them up for a healthy life.
Mental health assessments in school can also help:
- Reduce stigmas around mental health
- Contribute to a healthier community
- Develop social and emotional skills in students and staff
- Students engage with school and achieve better academically
Therapy for Warning Signs of Mental Illness in Teens
According to an article in EducationWeek, while experts say that screening students for mental health is one of the best ways to support them, not many schools are doing it.³ The same article claims that, over the past few years, statistics have shown record highs in students suffering from depression and anxiety.
In October 2022, the U.S Preventive Services Task Force released new guidelines. These guidelines recommended anxiety screening for students aged eight years and over, as well as depression and anxiety screening for students between 12 and 18.⁴
While not all schools offer mental health screenings, they are becoming more common in the US. The process focuses most often on identifying students at potential risk of mental health challenges. There is no universal age requirement for school-based screening, but most schools implement screening programs where parents and teachers complete a rating scale on observed behaviors of each student (for younger students). For instance, they would rate the student’s behaviors based on how serious they believe them to be on a scale of 1-10. Older students (usually between grades 4-12) will likely complete the questionnaires themselves.
How to Implement Mental Health Screenings in Schools
Mental health screenings in schools can be promoted in several ways, including:
- Handouts from the nurse’s office or given by teachers
- Sharing informative links via email to students and parents
- Posters in the school hallways
- Adding resources to the school website
Another way to promote mental health and screenings in school-based environments is to include mental health in the school curriculum. Mental Health America is an online resource that provides several free worksheets and curriculum items for mental health education in schools.⁵
Alternatively, schools can join forces with community-based mental health facilities, like Mission Prep. We can provide advice and guidance on school-based mental health screening and assist with after-screening care.
Who Should Be Involved in the Screening Process?
- Students
- Teachers
- Parents
- School nurses
- Trainee psychologists (in some instances)
If it’s determined that a student has a mental health condition that requires treatment, the school, parents, and student may need to be referred to a mental health facility with experience helping children and teens.
What Happens After a Screening?
After a mental health screening is complete, each student will be provided with their results. They will receive tailored resources based on their results, and these resources may be divided into the following categories:
- Learning: Information and psychoeducation about a mental health issue
- Treatment: Info about available treatments and referrals for care
- DIY: Do it yourself tools for education and self-treatment, such as how to make certain lifestyle changes
- Connection: Providing information and access to online and in-person resources, such as engagement with peers
It’s important that such resources are created with the age and needs of the particular student in mind. For instance, resources may need to be created by a mental health facility that understands child and teen mental health treatment. Additionally, such facilities can also answer any questions that students and parents have regarding treatment in ways that are easy for them to understand.
Challenges and Ethical Considerations With School Mental Health Screenings
Implementing mental health screenings in schools can be a valuable step toward early identification and support – but they also require thoughtful planning. Schools have a significant responsibility in ensuring that both practical challenges and ethical concerns are addressed before screenings are introduced. Let’s discuss these challenges and concerns in detail.
Common School Mental Health Screening Challenges to Consider
Accessing Appropriate Screening Tools:
Not all tools are created equal. Schools must select accurate, age-appropriate, and culturally sensitive screening instruments to ensure that results are meaningful and inclusive. Using the wrong tool can lead to inaccurate conclusions about mental health or overlook students who need support.
Maintaining Confidentiality:
Mental health data is sensitive. Schools must have clear systems in place for how screening results are stored, who has access to these results, and how privacy is protected. A breach in confidentiality can damage trust and deter students from seeking help.
Preventing Stigma and Labeling:
One of the biggest concerns in any mental health program is the risk of students being labeled or treated differently after screening. Care must be taken to present screenings as a form of support rather than judgment. Staff training is essential to avoid unintentional bias or assumptions based on screening outcomes.
Ethical Considerations in School Mental Health Screenings
Respecting Student Autonomy
Mental health interventions are not something that should happen to a student. Therefore, even young students deserve to be involved in conversations about their mental health. Depending on age and maturity, efforts should be made to explain the purpose of screenings and involve students in decisions about follow-up support.
Providing Informed Consent
Consent isn’t just a form to complete. It’s a process. Parents and guardians should be fully informed about what the screening entails, how the data will be used, and what happens after. In some cases, particularly with older students, consent from the student themselves should also be an essential part of the process.
Abiding By the “Do No Harm” Motto
The intention behind screenings is to help – but without access to adequate follow-up care, students with mental health issues could be left with little support after identification. Schools must ensure there is a pathway to services, whether through on-site counselors, referrals, or community partnerships.
Ensuring Equality in Access
Ethical screening practices also include making sure that all students, regardless of background, language, or disability status, have equal access to mental health services. This includes making accommodations where needed and ensuring that screening tools do not unintentionally exclude or misrepresent specific groups.
Need Help Communicating Mental Health in Schools?
Mental health screenings can be a powerful tool for early intervention, but they require care, clarity, and the right support to implement effectively.
At Mission Prep, we help schools navigate the complexities of student mental health with compassion and clinical integrity. We can also assist with implementing school mental health programs that genuinely make a difference. Our mental health awareness for schools spans a variety of services, from selecting the right screening tools to ensuring ethical practices and follow-up care.
If your school is ready to take the next step in supporting student well-being, we’re here to help. Contact Mission Prep today to learn how we can guide your team through staff training, putting screening measures in place, and creating a supportive mental health environment for every student.
References
- National Library of Medicine. (2017). Child and Adolescent Health and Development. 3rd edition (published book 2017).Bundy DAP, Silva Nd, Horton S, et al. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525269/
- Connors, E. H., Moffa, K., Carter, T., Crocker, J., Bohnenkamp, J. H., Lever, N. A., & Hoover, S. A. (2022). Advancing mental health screening in schools: Innovative, field-tested practices and observed trends during a 15-month learning collaborative. Psychology in the Schools, 59(6), 1135–1157. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9307132/#:~:text=We%20define%20universal%20mental%20health,et%20al.%2C%202018).
- Stanford, L. (2024, January 4). Experts recommend mental health screenings for students. Most schools aren’t doing them. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/leadership/experts-recommend-mental-health-screenings-for-students-most-schools-arent-doing-them/2024/01
- Shahidullah, J. (2022, November 29). New guidelines recommend universal mental health screening for U.S. kids.Harvard Public Health. https://harvardpublichealth.org/mental-health/child-mental-health-screening-recommended-for-anxiety-depression/
- Mental Health America. (n.d.). Previous years’ back to school toolkit materials.https://mhanational.org/previous-years-back-to-school-toolkit-materials/
