The third highest cause of death among people aged 10 to 24 is suicide, according to a Feb. 25 Washington Post article. Since many people that age are also enrolled in school, there is ample opportunity to screen students and provide them with effective care.
A new program called Positive Action for Teen Health aims to do just that for high school students. The program is run by Columbia University's division of adolescent psychology and seeks not to educate students, but to identify and treat mental illness. While the program may have some flaws, it has the potential to be very successful and a model for other schools.
The program has four steps, starting with a parentally authorized written exam. If students indicate that they have emotional issues or have attempted suicide or other self-destructive behavior, they are called back for a second round of screening, which is conducted by a computer questioner in hopes of extracting more honest answers than a human could. In the next step, possibly suicidal teenagers are questioned more vigorously, in person, and provide researchers with more information. Students who are then determined to be mentally unstable are sent for therapy. While it's too early to tell whether these methods have been effective, Columbia is on the right track with these tests.
Despite this, testing takes both time and money, and it must not detract from the working environment of the schools. Helping students and saving lives must be a priority, but when other programs and the flow of the school day are interrupted, it may make the situation worse. If the school can find a way to finance the program and not allow it to interfere with education, it could be a great success.
One concern, however, is the role of independent researchers versus school guidance counselors. When students are taking the tests and being screened, an air of anonymity may help the students to be more honest and more up front about their emotional issues; after all, the researcher is likely not someone with whom they will come into daily contact. At the same time, guidance counselors are more familiar with their students and may be able to provide insight into the daily lives of students to help determine if they are suicidal or just moody or stressed. If the two groups can work together effectively, the program's chances of avoiding suicides will be that much greater.
The most encouraging part of the plan comes from Washington, D.C., where representatives have introduced legislation to give federal funding to screening. Despite economic turmoil, there should be funding for the Children's Mental Health Screening and Prevention Act of 2002, which would study and possibly fund the system. The lives and well being of the nation's youth should be a top priority, and this is a tangible example of the government lending a helping hand.
If this approach succeeds at the high school level, there is no reason that it should not be used at the collegiate level. College students are no less at risk for suicidal tendencies than high school students; indeed, the pressures of college often exceed those of high school. Students should be able to receive treatment at any point in their academic careers, regardless of the level of education.
This program is an excellent start to alleviating the mental anguish of students in need of treatment. The desire to save the lives of students and a cognitive plan to provide treatment must be applauded. However, many schools are facing severe budget deficits and are being forced to cut many non-essential programs. If Positive Action for Teen Health can be implemented through the government or with independent funds, the benefits will far exceed the drawbacks.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
