Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study describes the experience of implementing a screening, monitoring, and referral to treatment (SMARTT) initiative at an urban middle school school-based health center. METHODS: Retrospective data were collected for adolescents screened with the Pediatric Symptom Checklist-17-Y. At-risk adolescents having unmet health needs were offered a mental health referral, and those that declined a mental health referral were offered a primary care monitoring (PCM) visit with the medical provider. Chi-square analyses were used to evaluate differences in screening and outcomes by age, sex, and race/ethnicity. RESULTS: One out of four adolescents had a positive PSC-17-Y or negative screen with other identified concerns. Approximately half of these at-risk adolescents accepted a mental health referral, and 86% of those who declined agreed to the PCM visit. More than two-thirds of the PCM group did not need continued monitoring and support at follow-up, and 85.4% of youth who had a mental health assessment accepted mental health services. CONCLUSIONS: The SMARTT initiative successfully demonstrated that co-located and integrated mental health services can enhance access and connection to mental health services for at-risk youth. In addition, PCM visits were found to be an effective option for youth who declined mental health referrals.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 981-991 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Journal of School Health |
Volume | 91 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2021 |
Keywords
- adolescent health
- mental health
- pediatric symptom checklist-17-youth self-report (PSC-17-Y)
- primary care
- psychosocial screening
- school-based health centers
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Education
- Philosophy
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health