Farr J, Palokas M. Adolescent school-based mental health screening: a best practice implementation project. JBI Evid Implement. 2024;22(2):186-194. doi:10.1097/XEB.0000000000000422
This best practice implementation project focused on the implementation of evidence-based practices regarding adolescent school-based mental health screening at a high school in Mississippi. While the school has a functioning teen wellness clinical housed within a school-based mental health center run by a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), very few students are screened or part of the LCSW’s caseload. The selected high school is in the bottom 50% of all school systems, with low graduation rates, and math and reading proficiencies, but a 93% attendance rate. All students are eligible for free lunches based on household income and the minority rate is 100%. The reported project was guided by the JBI Evidence-Based Implementation Framework. The primary barrier assessed was that students were unaware of the available mental health screening. The research team brainstormed with the clinical team for relevant ways to promote mental health screening. The team then conducted an education process involving handing out a fact sheet and hosting a Q&A session with the students. While only 23% of the students (total population of 564 students) were provided the educational materials, there was a 29% increase in evidence-based practice use at this school following the implementation of the fact sheet and Q&A sessions. If the Q&A sessions reached 100% of the student body, this would equate to 27% of adolescents receiving screening, diagnosis, and necessary services. Future work should address methods for increasing uptake in the school setting and evaluating other school-based mental health centers.