TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2008//
TI  - Implementing mental health screening within a youth alcohol and other drugs service
JO  - Mental health and substance use: dual diagnosis
A1  - Lubman, D.I.
A1  - Hides, L.
A1  - Scaffidi, A.
A1  - Elkins, K.
A1  - Stevens, M.
A1  - Marks, R.
SP  - 254
EP  - 261
VL  - 1
IS  - 3
N2  - BACKGROUND: While clinical studies consistently demonstrate high rates of co-occurring mental health problems among young people with substance use disorders, mental health assessments are not routinely conducted within Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) settings. Aims: To describe the implementation of a universal mental health screening program within a youth AOD service. We report on the adoption of screening by AOD staff over the subsequent 30 months, as well as rates of identified psychological problems. <br><br>METHOD: Examination of service data that were collected following implementation of the screening program. <br><br>RESULTS: Between August 2005 and December 2007, AOD workers completed 383 screens (87.4%) from a total of 438 eligible young people. Two hundred and sixty-eight (70.0%) scored 17 or above on the K10, with the mean score of the sample being 23.4 (SD9.6). Twenty-seven per cent reported moderate to severe suicide risk, with 9.9% reporting self-harm in the past month. <br><br>CONCLUSION: With appropriate levels of training and support, mental health screening can be readily implemented within routine AOD practice. However, such initiatives require screening to be identified as a core service issue. Given the high rates of psychological issues identified within the sample, we recommend that mental health screening should be integral to treatment planning within youth AOD settings. © 2008 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1752-3281
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17523280802275040
ID  - ref1
ER  -