Recognizing and referring at-risk youth

Abstract

Nearly 20% of children and adolescents in the US have at least one mental health condition yet less than half of these youth are engaged in treatment. Violent acts such as school shootings, suicide and even bullying have been attributed in part to inadequate mental health awareness, screening and follow-up care in youth. Children and adolescents with persistent behavioral problems, low academic functioning and high rates of psychosocial adversity are ideal candidates for mental health screening in schools and the community. School-based screening offers easier access and less stigma while community care offers the opportunity for more specialized psychiatric evaluation and treatment. There are simple validated screening tools for the most common mental health problems in youth such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, autistic spectrum disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and suicidality. This paper provides an overview of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents and recommends screening tools to facilitate recognition and referral for additional evaluation and therapeutic intervention.