Despite the U.S. Surgeon General’s declaration of a mental health crisis among the nation’s youth years ago, fewer than one – third of American public schools are screening students for psychological problems.
In 2021, then – U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy sounded the alarm. He pointed out that social media, the COVID – 19 pandemic, bullying, lack of safety, and several other factors were fueling an increase in depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among young people.
The situation has been a growing concern, as mental health issues in youth can have long – lasting impacts on their lives, affecting academic performance, social relationships, and future prospects.
However, by late 2024, researchers reported in JAMA Network Open that just under 31% of principals surveyed said their school conducts screening for mental health issues.
This low rate is a cause for worry, especially considering the magnitude of the youth mental health crisis. Further, about 40% of the principals surveyed said it was difficult to ensure that students receive appropriate care even if they do open up about feelings of anxiety or depression.
“Our results suggest that there are multiple barriers to mental health screening in schools,” said lead researcher Jonathan Cantor, a policy researcher at RAND, a nonprofit research organization. “These include a lack of resources and knowledge of screening mechanics, as well as concerns about increased workload of identifying students.”
For the study, researchers surveyed 1,019 principals who participate in the RAND American School Leader panel, which is a nationally representative sample of K – 12 public school principals. The survey was carried out in October 2024.
Among the schools that require mental health screenings, nearly 80% said parents are typically notified if their child tests positive for depression or anxiety. This shows that schools are making an effort to involve parents when students show signs of mental health problems.’
More than 70% of principals also reported that their school offers in – person treatment for students with mental health problems, and 53% said they might refer a student to a therapist in the community.
The survey also found that schools were 33% more likely to screen for mental health if they had 450 or more students or if their students mostly came from racial or ethnic minority groups. This could be due to a greater recognition of the need for mental health support in larger schools or in communities where students may face additional stressors related to their race or ethnicity.
Some schools that have implemented mental health screening programs have seen positive results. For example, in certain districts, early identification of students with anxiety or depression through screening has led to more timely interventions. Students have reported feeling more supported, and there has been a slight improvement in academic performance in some cases. However, these success stories are still in the minority, given the low overall screening rates across the country.
“Policies that promote federal and state funding for school mental health, reimbursement for school – based mental health screening, and adequate school mental health staff ratios may increase screening rates and increase the likelihood of successfully connecting the student to treatment,” Cantor said. Such policies could potentially break down the barriers that schools are currently facing, enabling them to better address the mental health needs of their students.
In addition to funding and staffing, improving teacher training on mental health awareness could also be beneficial. Teachers are often the first to notice changes in students’ behavior, but many lack the knowledge and skills to accurately identify mental health issues and refer students to appropriate resources. By providing comprehensive training, teachers could play a more active role in the early detection and support of students with mental health problems.
Overall, the low rate of mental health screening in schools is a significant issue that needs to be addressed. With the right policies, resources, and training, schools can become better equipped to identify and support students struggling with depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.
READ MORE
