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From barriers to implementation: Advancing universal mental health screening in schools

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2021

John R. Burns Open the ORCID record for John R. Burns [Opens in a new window]  and
Ronald M. Rapee
John R. Burns*
Affiliation:
Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Shore School, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Ronald M. Rapee
Affiliation:
Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
*
*Correspondence author. Email: john.burns@mq.edu.au
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Abstract

In light of concerning evidence that many young people with mental disorders are not receiving appropriate mental health intervention, school-based mental health screening has been advocated as one way to improve identification of at-risk youth. Despite having much promise, universal screening in schools remains a relatively uncommon practice internationally. Various barriers that deter school psychologists and counsellors from screening have been identified, including lack of resourcing to implement screening, lack of knowledge about the mechanics of how to carry out a screening program, and concern about how to manage the anticipated increased workload generated by following up identified students. In this practice-based paper we discuss a four-stage process that guides school psychologists and counsellors in the establishment of a school-based screening program, with specific reference to overcoming perceived barriers.

Keywords

Screeningearly interventionschool mental healthprevention
Type
Practitioner Paper
Information
Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools , Volume 31 , Special Issue 2: Actioning Research within Schools: Key Processes for Planning Successful Interventions , December 2021 , pp. 172 - 183
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Copyright
© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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