In response, in CMHS and NIMH awarded a contract to REACH Director Peter S. Jensen (while he was at Columbia University) to identify a set of indicators using rigorous research methods, guided and further refined with input from parents, doctors, teachers, and youth. Working with a Steering Committee composed of experts in the fields of epidemiology, public policy, and advocacy, staff identified a number of indicators or “action signs” that if present in a child may warrant professional attention. These warning signs have been formed and sculpted by two methods: analysis of large epidemiological data sets and feedback from various stakeholders in nationwide focus groups. The current list consists of 11 indicators, and have also been translated into Spanish. Recently, the Center for Mental Health Services of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control, the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI), the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry endorsed the final wording and use of the signs. The final "action signs" are a powerful, evidence based assessment and screening tool for assisting doctors, teachers, and others who work with children to screen for mental health disorders in children. Without such mental healthscreening tools, more than half of children with mental health problems will not be identified, and will not receive urgently needed help. Support & Funding
These warning signs were developed under a contract from SAMHSA/HHS, contract number 520712. The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA or HHS. Links
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