Mental Health Assessment of the Frequent Visitor-Part 2: Assessment and Interventions

Abstract

This article is the second part of a two-part series on mental health in school-age children. The focus of this article is on mental health assessment in the school setting, including the use of screening tools, with a review of common medications prescribed for youth with anxiety and depression. Students with mental health conditions frequently seek refuge in the school health office, many times for psychosomatic complaints such as stomach ache, headache, nausea, and fatigue. School nurses need to be adept to assess mental health and intervene as necessary.

Mental Health Screenings: Practices and Patterns of These and Other Health Screenings in U.S. School Districts

“…In schools, mental health screening involves assessing students to reveal whether they may be at risk for a mental health disorder. Screening can be performed using a systematic instrument or process with an entire population (school student body), a group of students (classroom or grade level), or individually (Perron et al, 2021). Research demonstrates that mental health and behavioral health issues impact academic outcomes (Brown et al, 2021; Dalsgaard et al, 2020; Gracy et al, 2017; Marsh & Mathur, 2020).…”