Columbia University Teen Screen at PHS

The physical and mental health of young people plays a key role in their ability to succeed in school, have rewarding relationships with family members and friends, and lead productive and happy lives. Plattsburgh High School is committed to ensuring that our students reach their full potential outside of the classroom.

Teen Screen photo To that end, PHS is offering parents the opportunity to have their teens participate in a wellness check-up called TeenScreen. TeenScreen is a nationally-recognized program developed by Columbia University to identify risk factors associated with depression, anxiety, and alcohol and substance abuse. The program is free and completely voluntary and confidential.

Common questions about Teen Screen
TeenScreen Parental Consent Form

How Does TeenScreen Work?
Mary Anne Cox, LCSW, of NAMI: Champlain Valley will be in charge of the program. It will take place during school hours in a private setting at the school. Teens will not be screened without parental permission. All screening results will be kept confidential, stored separately from academic records, and not shared with the student’s teachers. There are three steps to the screening procedure:

Step One: Teens complete a 10-minute questionnaire about vision, hearing and dental problems, symptoms of depression and anxiety, suicidal thinking and behavior, and use of drugs and alcohol.

Step Two: Teens whose answers reveal a potential problem and teens who ask for help then meet with a trained mental health professional in private to determine if further evaluation would be helpful. Teens whose answers show they probably do not need help meet briefly with other program staff to answer any questions they may have about the program and to give them the opportunity to ask for help with any other concerns the screening did not cover.

Step Three: If a student meets with a mental health professional and the professional recommends further evaluation, program staff will contact his or her parents/guardian to discuss ways they can get help for their teen. Parents whose teen does not need additional mental health services will not be contacted. If a vision, hearing or dental need is identified during the screening process, program staff will notify the student’s parents/ guardian by letter.

Plattsburgh High School provides this screening at no cost, but can not provide further evaluation or treatment services. Please do not hesitate to call Mary Anne Cox at 561-2685, ext. 12, if you have any questions. You may also find information about the TeenScreen Program at www.teenscreen.org.