During the first stage of the screening process, youth complete a short questionnaire that helps to identify which teens may be having problems that should be more fully evaluated. TeenScreen Schools and Communities currently offers two screening questionnaires to local screening programs both of which are available in English and Spanish. Local programs may select the questionnaire that best aligns with their screening goals, population and resources. 

 
The Columbia Health Screen (CHS)

• 14-item, self completion, paper-and-pen questionnaire
• Used to screen youth ages 11 to 18, who read at a 6th grade level 
• Identifies the risk factors of teen suicide
• Includes questions about depression, suicidal ideation and attempts, anxiety, alcohol and drug use, and general health problems 
• Most questions cover the last three months
• Indicates only the likelihood that a youth is at risk for suicide or has a significant mental health problem; it is not a diagnosis or substitute for a clinical evaluation
• Takes approximately 10 minutes to complete
• Available in English and Spanish

• 52-item, computerized interview
• Youth simultaneously hears questions through headphones and reads them on the computer screen, then enters answers on computer
• Used to screen youth ages 9 to 18 years (reading level is irrelevant since youth hear the questions through headphones)
• General purpose screen used to identify youth with a mental health disorder
• Results indicate the likelihood that a youth has a significant mental health problem; it is not a diagnosis or substitute for a clinical evaluation
• Takes 10 to 20 minutes to complete
• Produces a computer generated report of results
• Available in English and Spanish