Introduction
Adolescents are at a critical juncture where mental health issues and risk behaviors can significantly impact their future. The recent study titled "The impact of school-based screening on service use in adolescents at risk for mental health problems and risk-behaviour" offers valuable insights into how school-based screenings can serve as a pivotal tool in addressing these challenges. This blog explores the findings of the study and discusses how practitioners can leverage these insights to improve outcomes for at-risk adolescents.
Key Findings of the Study
The study, part of the "Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe" (SEYLE) project, evaluated the effectiveness of a two-stage school-based screening intervention known as "Screening by Professionals" (ProfScreen). Conducted across 11 European countries, the research involved adolescents identified as at-risk for mental health issues or risk behaviors.
Key findings include:
- Of the total sample (N=4,172), 61.9% were considered at-risk.
- 40.7% of the ProfScreen at-risk participants attended the clinical interview.
- 10.1% of those referred engaged in professional treatment.
- Attendance at the ProfScreen interview was positively associated with follow-up service use (OR=1.783, 95% CI=1.038–3.064).
- There was no significant difference in follow-up service use and at-risk state between the ProfScreen and control groups.
Implications for Practitioners
For practitioners working with adolescents, these findings underscore the importance of early identification and intervention. Here are some actionable steps to consider:
- Enhance Screening Processes: Implement robust school-based screening programs to identify at-risk adolescents early. Ensure these screenings are comprehensive and cover a wide range of mental health issues and risk behaviors.
- Facilitate Access to Professional Help: Address barriers to accessing professional services by providing resources and support within the school environment. Consider integrating mental health professionals into the school setting to increase accessibility.
- Promote Follow-Up and Engagement: Encourage continuous engagement with mental health services post-screening. This can be achieved through regular follow-ups and providing a supportive environment that reduces stigma and promotes help-seeking behavior.
Encouraging Further Research
While the ProfScreen intervention showed promise in increasing service use among those who completed the intervention, the overall participation and service use rates were low. This highlights the need for further research to explore:
- Barriers to participation in school-based screenings and subsequent professional services.
- Strategies to improve the design and implementation of school-based interventions to enhance their effectiveness.
- Long-term impacts of early intervention on mental health outcomes and risk behaviors in adolescents.
Conclusion
School-based screenings like ProfScreen have the potential to play a crucial role in early identification and intervention for adolescents at risk of mental health issues. However, to maximize their impact, it is essential to address participation barriers and enhance the accessibility and effectiveness of follow-up services. Practitioners are encouraged to integrate these insights into their practice and contribute to ongoing research efforts to refine and improve school-based mental health interventions.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: The impact of school-based screening on service use in adolescents at risk for mental health problems and risk-behaviour.
