Introduction
The mental health of adolescents is a growing concern, with suicide being one of the leading causes of death among this age group. Despite the availability of mental healthcare services, the help-seeking behavior among adolescents remains low. The research article "Twelve-month service use, suicidality and mental health problems of European adolescents after a school-based screening for current suicidality" provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of school-based screenings in identifying at-risk adolescents and facilitating their access to mental health services.
Research Overview
The study involved a two-stage school-based screening process conducted across 11 European countries as part of the 'Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe' (SEYLE) study. The first stage involved a self-report questionnaire to identify students at risk for suicidality, followed by an interview with a mental health professional for those who screened positive. The study aimed to assess the association between screening completion and subsequent service use and mental health outcomes over a 12-month period.
Key Findings
- Of the 12,395 participants, 4.2% screened positive for current suicidality. However, only 37.6% of these at-risk students attended the follow-up interview.
- Screening completers were more likely to use mental health services and showed lower suicidality at follow-up compared to non-completers.
- Despite the screening, a significant majority of both completers (81.9%) and non-completers (91.6%) did not receive professional treatment within the year.
Implications for Practitioners
The findings highlight the potential of school-based screenings to identify at-risk adolescents and facilitate service use. However, the low follow-up interview attendance and service use indicate barriers that need to be addressed. Practitioners can improve their skills by:
- Implementing similar two-stage screening processes in schools to identify at-risk adolescents early.
- Developing strategies to increase interview attendance, such as conducting interviews within the school environment to reduce logistical barriers.
- Addressing stigma and other barriers to mental health service use among adolescents through awareness programs.
Encouraging Further Research
The study underscores the need for further research to explore the reasons behind low service use and interview attendance. Practitioners are encouraged to participate in or initiate studies that investigate:
- The effectiveness of different settings for conducting mental health interviews.
- The role of parental involvement in adolescent mental health interventions.
- The impact of cultural and systemic factors on help-seeking behavior among adolescents.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Twelve-month service use, suicidality and mental health problems of European adolescents after a school-based screening for current suicidality.
