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Local screening programs across America are being developed by health professionals, the doctors, nurses and clinicians who play such an important role in ensuring the health and wellbeing of our youth. Providing mental health screening in medical settings strengthens the idea that mental and physical health are equal contributors to a young person’s overall health and development. Learn more about these innovative programs by exploring the links below. |
“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%. How can we not routinely screen young people for mental illness when it is such an important cause of suffering and death?”
Dr. Richard A. Friedman, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College; “Uncovering an Epidemic - Screening for Mental Illness in Teens”
Journal of School Health, February 2007, Vol. 22, No.2 |
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Mental Health Check-ups Are as Important as Physical Check-ups
Doctors, nurses and local mental health professionals in clinics, hospitals and primary care settings are recognizing the importance of addressing youth mental health issues and are working together to develop screening initiatives in their communities. The reasons why these professionals implement their own local screening programs or volunteer their time to an existing screening program vary. Many know that mental illnesses are detectable and treatable. All of these staff and volunteers are driven by one fact—identifying a mental health problem early gives a teen a better chance to live a happy and productive life.
Click here for data and statistics related to mental health screening, teen depression and suicide and more.
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Medical Professionals Prioritize Mental Health Screening
Click here to read the story of one healthcare professional who brought the TeenScreen Program to her community in rural Iowa.
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Health Professionals
