Editorial: Targeting teen depression

Thursday, Aug. 10, 2006 | 7:35 a.m.

The Clark County School District is offering voluntary mental health screenings to high school students, drawing criticism from those who say such tests are inaccurate and unfairly label teens for life.

According to a Las Vegas Sun story Monday, the tests are designed to examine whether a student may be at risk for depression, which in some cases can lead to suicide. While not to be construed as a diagnosis or treatment tool, these tests may help determine whether students and their parents should seek professional evaluation and help.

The test, called TeenScreen, was developed by Columbia University researchers and is designed for adolescents ages 11 to 18. Students can typically complete the questionnaire in about 10 minutes, but they must have parental permission to take it. Clark County started it as a pilot program in 10 high schools last year and is expanding it to 20 this year, the Sun reports.

The test is designed to look for the potential existence of a problem - much like routine eye or hearing exams - but is not to be considered a definitive diagnosis. Still, a member of EdWatch Nevada, an activist group, told the Sun that he feared the test can lead to false diagnoses that can result in damaging labels and "treatment with dangerous and ineffective psychiatric medications."

Seeing as how diagnosis and treatment are not objectives of the TeenScreen program, it would seem unlikely that these far-reaching consequences could occur. Parents who are told their child's test showed a potential for depression should seek further evaluation from a qualified mental health professional.

As long as the test is applied with a proper perspective - as one tool in an overall effort to identify possible health risks that could interfere with students' abilities to get an education - we see no harm. After all, no child has to take it unless his or her parents consent. And no student should be denied access to classes or school activities or otherwise unfairly judged as a result of his TeenScreen test.

Nevada has one of the nation's highest teen suicide rates, and many of these tragedies include parents who helplessly wonder why they had no warning. If this test can help identify teens who are at risk of depression, it just might save a life. And that is worth the effort.