The Effectiveness of Mental Health Problems Screening and Treatment Linkage in Children & Adolescents: Community Based Study Focused on ADHD and Depression.
- Author:
Hyo Jin KIM
1
;
Soo Churl CHO
;
Jae Won KIM
;
Je Wook KANG
;
Min Sup SHIN
;
Hyo Won KIM
;
Myung Ju YUN
;
Kyong Young LEE
;
Yun Ju KANG
;
Boong Nyun KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
ADHD;
Depression;
School-based Mental Health;
Treatment Linkage
- MeSH:
Adolescent;
Aged;
Appointments and Schedules;
Checklist;
Child;
Child Behavior;
Depression;
Epidemiologic Studies;
Financial Support;
Humans;
Korea;
Mass Screening;
Mental Health;
Mental Health Services;
Referral and Consultation;
Suicidal Ideation
- From:Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
2009;20(3):129-139
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effectiveness of school-based mental health screening and treatment linkage programs, focusing on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and adolescent depression. METHODS: All 11,158 children and adolescents aged 8-14 years in Seoul received a school-based mental health screening, consisting of the Korean versions of the ADHD rating scale and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), for ADHD, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-DS) and the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior (SIQ-JR), for depression. The high-risk children's and adolescents' diagnoses were confirmed using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children-IV (DISC-IV). Treatment linkage programs were managed by the Seoul Metropolitan Community Mental Health Center (Program 1), the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (Program 2), or the Dongjak District Office of Education (Program 3). We estimated and compared the referral rates of the three programs. RESULTS: Program 1 screened and referred 22.9% of ADHD youths to mental health services, Program 2, 68.8%, and Program 3, 40.0%. Program 1 screened and referred 22.8% of depressed youths to mental health services, Program 2, 53.8%, and Program 3, 88.9%. Key elements for successful screening and referral programs were an effective school/community mental health center/Office of Education network, the parents' financial support and perception of their child's mental health status as being problematic, and the teachers' active engagement. CONCLUSION: This is the first study investigating the effectiveness of school-based mental health screenings' linkage to treatment for primary and middle school students in Korea. An effective network for community mental health and improvements in parents' and teachers' perceptions regarding mental health are needed for more successful treatment linkage.
