Universal Screening for Mental Health in Schools: A Critical Issue for Prevention Efforts

Emery Brown

For many years, it has been a well-established practice—and best practice—to screen students as early as preschool for potential academic challenges. Educators understand that identifying issues early on allows for timely intervention, paving the way for better student outcomes. This same principle should apply to mental health concerns; however, many New Jersey (NJ) schools have yet to adopt mental health screening as a standard practice.

In February 2022, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) released the New Jersey Comprehensive School-Based Mental Health Resource Guide, emphasizing a prevention- and promotion-based approach as the most effective strategy for supporting students' mental health. The guide highlights that Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) should include universal screening tools to identify students with greater needs. It specifically states: “In addition to layered levels of support, MTSS systems should include a universal screener to identify which students have greater needs, match evidence-based strategies to student need, and use data to drive decision-making and monitor progress.”

In anticipation of these needs, the NJDOE, in collaboration with Rutgers University, launched the Enhancing Mental Health in Schools Project. This grant-funded initiative provided 50 schools across New Jersey with resources and technical support to develop MTSS frameworks aimed at enhancing mental health services. Now, as the program enters its final year, schools are preparing to pilot universal mental health screeners.

Kristy Ritvalsky, Program Manager at the Rutgers Center for Comprehensive School Mental Health Services, explains, "The Rutgers Center for Comprehensive School Mental Health Team is proud to continue its collaboration with schools involved in the Enhancing School Mental Health Services (ESMHS) Project funded by the NJDOE. We have seen substantial growth in these schools as they build their comprehensive mental health frameworks. We are thrilled to assist in planning, administering, and analyzing the universal screening process. This essential step allows ESMHS project schools to proactively gather valuable data, which informs their prevention and early intervention strategies. By identifying and addressing student mental health concerns early, we can improve access to mental healthcare for all students. The ESMHS project schools are leading the charge to reduce the stigma often associated with mental health, inspiring change, and upholding best practices."

While the feasibility of universal screening is an important consideration, there are well-established tools available, such as the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), which is free and available in multiple languages. Beyond choosing an appropriate screener, districts must carefully consider how they will obtain consent, engage families in the process, and establish a clear plan for responding to identified needs.

Rutgers recommends starting with a small pilot program, gradually expanding as schools refine their processes. This approach is already being implemented by over half of the schools participating in the pilot phase of the grant. Screeners not only address areas of need but also highlight students' strengths, enabling teams to design targeted interventions and track progress over time.

The East Greenwich Township School District, where I am a part of the team, participated in this pilot with two classrooms among two grade levels. Over the past year, we have also developed a clear referral pathway and resource map to ensure that if additional students are identified as needing support, we can quickly connect them to the necessary services. Success with the pilot screener was driven by strong leadership at the top. Superintendent Andrea Evans comments, “We view a universal mental health screener as a safety net to help us identify any potential concerns that parents and or teachers may identify. It is just one tool in addition to all the other methods we use to provide students access to services. Perhaps most importantly, the screener allows us to capture a snapshot of needs for all students, so we can adjust our tiered interventions as needed.”

The New Jersey Comprehensive School-Based Mental Health Resource Guide supports this point, making it clear that screeners should not be the sole data point used in decision-making. They serve two primary purposes: identifying student needs and establishing a baseline of performance. Additionally, it is critical that screeners are not used without a clear plan for intervention. The key to effective screening is not merely the identification of challenges but also the implementation of actionable strategies to support the student.

This author’s district is fortunate to have strong administrative support for mental health services, demonstrated through our staffing levels. East Greenwich, which consists of two schools, is staffed with three school psychologists, two school counselors, and, through another grant, the Clayton Project, we have access to two additional Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Specialists from the Child Connection Center. With this robust team in place, we are well-equipped to meet the diverse needs of our students.

A New Jersey school counselor and former Mobile Response worker Elizabeth Schopfer, notes, “Many times we become aware of a student in need when a friend, parent, teacher or the student themselves reach out for help. In waiting for people to report a concern, the student’s symptoms can worsen and be prolonged. In other situations, there can be close calls in getting someone aid before there is a risk of harm. Universal Mental Health Screening is a needed tool to help identify students who otherwise might fall though the current cracks in the school system. It also allows for early intervention at both an individual and group level to enhance a student’s and school community’s wellbeing.”

School Psychologists, acting in their role as advocates and expert voices in the area of mental health, should do their best to acquaint themselves with current best practices in mental health screeners. The implementation of universal mental health screening in schools is not just a crucial step toward identifying and addressing mental health concerns early, but it is also an investment in the overall well-being and success of students. It behooves the School Psychologist to remember that the value of screening lies not only in the identification of students' needs but also in the creation of a proactive, comprehensive system that supports all aspects of student health and learning. With strong leadership, collaboration with school mental health professionals, and a commitment to best practices, universal screening has the potential to change the landscape for access to mental health care in schools.

To learn more about the Rutgers Center for Comprehensive School Mental Health, click here.

Click here to view and gain further information about the New Jersey Comprehensive School-Based Mental Health Resource Guide: