#United States #mental health #Itasca #Riverside Insights #DESSA

New Research Finds Effective Mental Health Screening for Schools

Recent findings from Riverside Insights emphasize the importance of mental health screening in schools. The study introduces a new dual-factor DESSA risk screener aimed at enabling school psychologists to identify students' needs more effectively and earlier than traditional methods.

In a nationwide study involving 254 middle school students, the screener predicted student well-being levels with 70% accuracy. This innovative approach combines assessments of both risk and resilience, challenging previous assumptions that resilience alone signifies student mental health. Many students with strong social-emotional skills still face serious mental health challenges, indicating that relying solely on resilience metrics can overlook those needing assistance.

Dr. Evelyn Johnson, Vice President of Research and Development at Riverside Insights, commented on the significance of their findings by stating, “This research validates what school mental health professionals have been telling us for years—that traditional screening approaches miss some students.” By using this dual assessment method, educators can identify students who need help earlier, ensuring timely intervention before situations escalate into crises.

The DESSA SEIR screener is set to launch in the upcoming 2025-26 school year. It stands to revolutionize how school psychologists and counselors operate by providing crucial data that identifies students who may struggle beneath the surface. Jim Bowler, General Manager of the Classroom Division at Riverside Insights, noted, “The efficacy associated with this dual-factor approach is encouraging, and has big implications for practitioners struggling to identify risk with limited resources.”

As mental health issues among students continue to escalate, this study's release comes at a critical time. For instance, statistics reveal that one in five students contemplated suicide in 2023, while a staggering 60% of youth dealing with major depression receive no mental health assistance. With the current school counselor-to-student ratios often soaring beyond recommended levels—11,065 for psychologists (ideal is 1500) and 1376 for counselors (ideal is 1250)—the demand for reliable preventive solutions has never been more urgent.

The DESSA has been a trusted method for assessing K-12 students since its inception in 2009. It offers essential insights into students’ social and emotional competencies, helping educators tackle factors that impede learning. Riverside Insights has a rich history of developing research-backed assessments, delivering actionable data to empower educators ranging from identifying overlooked needs to understanding complex learner profiles.

As educators navigate the daunting landscape of student mental health, the introduction of the new DESSA screener marks a promising step forward. Schools can look forward to enhanced mental health support that provides a complete picture ofstudent needs, allowing proactive strategies to flourish within the existing frameworks, ultimately changing the trajectory of countless young lives. For more details, visit Riverside Insights.