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Tool Information
Title TeenScreen Program
Settings Education
MHP Steps Follow Up | Preparation | Implementation | Needs Analysis
URL www.teenscreen.org
Publication Information The TeenScreen Program was developed by Columbia University´s Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in 1991 in response to research revealing that 90% of youth who die by suicide suffer from a mental illness at the time of their deaths, and that 63% experience symptoms for at least a year prior to their deaths. TeenScreen is supported by a number of foundations, individuals and organizations.
Country of Origin United States
Languages English | Spanish
Tool Description The Columbia University TeenScreen Program is a national mental health and suicide risk screening program for young people. TeenScreen is committed to making the mental health and well-being of youth a national priority and to ensure that every parent is offered the opportunity to have their teenager receive a voluntary mental health check-up (required both parental consent and youth assent for participation) for early identification of mental health problems. The program uses a questionnaire and interview process to determine if a teenager may be at risk for depression, suicide or other health problems – it is not a diagnosis, and treatment decisions, if any, are always left to parents and guardians.
Application in the Field General use in one country
Tool mainly used in United States
Stage of Development Well established
Evaluation and Research Studies/Technical Data available
Beneficiary Involvement in Design Active participation clearly described
Evaluation Yes
Evaluation Description The TeenScreen Program has been evaluated in a variety of settings with diverse youth populations. It is found to be effective in identifying young people who are at risk for suicide, depression and other mental disorders (Shaffer, D., Scott, M., Wilcox, H., Maslow, C., Hicks, R., Lucas, C., et al. (2004). The Columbia SuicideScreen: Validity and Reliability of a Screen for Youth Suicide and Depression. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 43(1), 71-79.; Kaplan, A., Olfson M., Chrostowski, C., McGuire, L., Durland, D., Flynn, L. (2005). Assessing the Effectiveness of the Columbia University Teen Screen Program. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Toronto, Canada). Additional findings have shown that screening is safe and does not cause participants to become depressed, suicidal or distressed (Gould, M., Marrocco, F., Kleinman, M., Thomas, J., Mostkoff K., Cote, J., (2005). Evaluating Iatrogenic Risk of Youth Suicide Screening Programs: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of the American Medical Association, 293, 1635-1643).
Available Formats Paper Based | Soft Copy
Free Yes
Restrictions on Use No
Tool Focus Individual
Tool Type Evaluation Tool
Download(s)
  1. TeenScreen Program Brochure - 108 KB
  2. TeenScreen Program Overview - 14 KB
Contact Details
Contact Name Laurie Flynn
Organisation Name The Columbia University
Telephone (212) 265-4453
Address 1775 Broadway, Suite 610 , NY 10019
Country United States

ICF Core Set

ICF - Core Set

b - Body Functions
Code Element
Selected b130 Energy, Drive and Sleep Functions
Selected b140, b144 Attention and Memory
Selected b152 Emotional Functioning
d - Activities and Participation
Code Element
Selected d175, d177 Solving Problems and Making Decisions
Selected d240 Handling Stress and Other Psychological Demands
Selected d310, d315, d325, d330, d335, Effective Communicating
Selected d710, d720, Basic and Complex Interpersonal Interactions
Selected d730, d740, d750, d770 Relationships - Strangers, Formal, Informal Social, Intimate
Selected d760 Family Relationships
e - Environmental Factors
Code Element
Selected e310, e315, e320, e325, e330, e340, e355, e360 Physical and Emotional Support
Selected e410, e415, e420, e425, e430, e440, e450,e455 Attitudes of individuals
ICD10 - ICD10
Code Element
Selected FGP General Population
Selected F20-F59 & F80-F99 Mental Health Conditions

Mental Health and Promotion Categories

Or1 - Policies

Or14 - Values & Ethics [General Reference]
Code Element

Or2 - Enablers

Or21 - Ethos/ Culture
Code Element
Selected Or21.3 Empowerment
Or23 - Management Style
Code Element
Selected Or23.3 Partnerships

Or3 - Processes/ Implementation

Or32 - Health Promotion Processes
Code Element
Selected Or32.4 Risk Assessment

Or4 - Performance/ Outcomes

Or41 - Health Benefits
Code Element
Selected Or41.2 Mental
Or42 - Organisational Benefits
Code Element
Selected Or42.2 Satisfaction of Beneficiaries

En2 - Social Networks

En22 - Family
Code Element
Selected En22.3 Support and Empowerment

En3 - External Environment

En31 - External Resources
Code Element
Selected En31.2 Mental Health Services
Selected En31.3 Counselling
Selected En31.4 Psychological Assessment

Pr1 - Generic Programmes

Pr13 - Mental Health Promotion Programmes
Code Element
Selected Pr13.1 Mental Health Screening
Selected Pr13.7 Suicide Prevention

Pr3 - Programmes for at Risk Individuals

Pr33 - At Risk Group Screening [General Reference]
Code Element