Currently both North Kitsap and Bainbridge Island school districts implement Columbia University’s TeenScreen Program, which is designed to prevent youth suicide and address other youth mental health concerns. Students who have parent permission are screened in their ninth grade health classes for mental health risk factors.

The purpose of the TeenScreen Program is to offer students a voluntary mental health check-up that begins with a computerized survey. TeenScreen evaluates students for risk factors associated with depression and other mental concerns, but does not make a formal diagnosis. Parents of students found to be at possible risk are notified and provided information about local mental health services where they can obtain further assistance. No child is screened without parental consent. The results of the screen are confidential, are not shared with education staff, and do not substitute for a clinical evaluation by a professional.

Kitsap County Health District added a unique evaluation component in 2006. This facilitated ongoing feedback, program improvement and development. The information also enabled the program to enhance its community education program and mobilize further support for mental health screening. In addition to this prestigious award, the health district was awarded $5000 to continue its work with TeenScreen and hopefully expand to additional sites in the upcoming years.

Implementation of TeenScreen: A Mental Health Screening Tool for Adolescents

Bainbridge High School TeenScreen Program Report 2006

See 1-06-06 Health District Press Release

Use the "Story Archives Search" function to search for the 1-11-06 news article:
"Teens screened for mental health" on the Bainbridge Review's website.
www.bainbridgereview.com

See news article in the Kitsap Sun 1-11-06

For more information, contact Barb Smithson, KCHD Suicide Prevention Coordinator
E-mail: smithb@health.co.kitsap.wa.us
Phone: (360) 337-5250

Additional information is also available on the TeenScreen website at:
www.teenscreen.org