Establishing ongoing, early identification programs for mental health problems in our schools: a feasibility study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the feasibility of establishing ongoing, early identification services for mental health problems in school settings.


METHODS
School counselors and other mental health professionals (N = 41) in middle, junior, and high schools (N= 23) were given training and supervision in the administration of an evidence-based mental health assessment tool, the Voice Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children IV (DISC-IV), over the course of 1 1/2 school years.


RESULTS
During the study, 530 students were selected to be assessed with the DISC, and 72% were confirmed to be at risk for a mental health problem (DISC+). Among DISC+ cases, 71% had never been in treatment before. The most common problems identified by the DISC were symptoms related to suicide (28%), social phobia (20%), attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (19%), and oppositional defiant disorder (19%). Based on schools' recommendations, 82% of parents with DISC+ children agreed to make an appointment for a follow-up evaluation. Of DISC+ children whose parents agreed to seek further evaluation, 65% of them were evaluated by a health or mental health professional within 2 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of a computerized, evidence-based mental health assessment tool is a feasible strategy for providing early mental health identification services in schools and can help to bridge the gap between mental health providers and the unmet needs of children who are at risk for mental health problems within the community.
Nemeroff
Robin
R
Dr. Nemeroff is with William Paterson University, Dr. Jensen is with The Reach Institute, Dr. Levitt is with Columbia University, Ms. Faul and Dr. Setterberg are with Prairie St. John's, and Ms. Bufferd and Ms. WonPat-Borja are pursuing graduate studies.. Electronic address: nemeroffr@wpunj.edu.
Levitt
Jessica Mass
JM
Dr. Nemeroff is with William Paterson University, Dr. Jensen is with The Reach Institute, Dr. Levitt is with Columbia University, Ms. Faul and Dr. Setterberg are with Prairie St. John's, and Ms. Bufferd and Ms. WonPat-Borja are pursuing graduate studies.
Faul
Lisa
L
Dr. Nemeroff is with William Paterson University, Dr. Jensen is with The Reach Institute, Dr. Levitt is with Columbia University, Ms. Faul and Dr. Setterberg are with Prairie St. John's, and Ms. Bufferd and Ms. WonPat-Borja are pursuing graduate studies.
Wonpat-Borja
Ahtoy
A
Dr. Nemeroff is with William Paterson University, Dr. Jensen is with The Reach Institute, Dr. Levitt is with Columbia University, Ms. Faul and Dr. Setterberg are with Prairie St. John's, and Ms. Bufferd and Ms. WonPat-Borja are pursuing graduate studies.
Bufferd
Sara
S
Dr. Nemeroff is with William Paterson University, Dr. Jensen is with The Reach Institute, Dr. Levitt is with Columbia University, Ms. Faul and Dr. Setterberg are with Prairie St. John's, and Ms. Bufferd and Ms. WonPat-Borja are pursuing graduate studies.
Setterberg
Stephen
S
Dr. Nemeroff is with William Paterson University, Dr. Jensen is with The Reach Institute, Dr. Levitt is with Columbia University, Ms. Faul and Dr. Setterberg are with Prairie St. John's, and Ms. Bufferd and Ms. WonPat-Borja are pursuing graduate studies.
Jensen
Peter S
PS
Dr. Nemeroff is with William Paterson University, Dr. Jensen is with The Reach Institute, Dr. Levitt is with Columbia University, Ms. Faul and Dr. Setterberg are with Prairie St. John's, and Ms. Bufferd and Ms. WonPat-Borja are pursuing graduate studies.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology