Samaritan Wellness Screen
Samaritan Wellness Screen
Wellness Screen provides mental wellness screening for students in their school environment. Students voluntarily answer questions about their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Answers are confidential and only seen by Wellness Screen staff.
Mental wellness screening allows for early identification of highly treatable mental health needs, including those that may be associated with increased suicide risk. If mental health needs are identified, results will be verbally shared with the student and their parent/legal guardian. Wellness Screen staff will provide resources and offer support to find appropriate mental health services.
Psychosocial (psychological and social) problems are relatively common. Such problems often go unnoticed by pediatricians, teachers and even parents and can lead to more serious problems in later life. Research shows that earlier detection and treatment can lead to better outcomes.
As such, professional organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend psychosocial screening as a part of the annual physical for all children and adolescents. -Massachusetts General Hospital, Psychiatry Department
Dr. Lori Hilt, professor of psychology at Lawrence University, helped shape the design of the screening tool and remains involved in the data collection and analysis. She and her students work with the data every summer to ensure they are asking the right questions and using the best possible science to help kids.
“It’s overwhelming to think about what it would be like if we didn’t have the screening program. I think it provides such an important service and helps thousands of kids every year,” she said at the program’s 10th Anniversary Celebration on September 15, 2023.
Wellness Screen uses the Pediatric Symptom Checklist- Youth PLUS to screen students in 6th-12thgrade*. This tool is based on a well-researched, valid, and reliable tool, the Pediatric Symptom Checklist. The PLUS portion of the tool includes questions related to non-suicidal self-injury, suicidal ideation, risk factors related to depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, as well as substance use from the CRAFFT.
The tool, as well as the Wellness Screen process, is analyzed annually by the Child and Adolescent Research in Emotion (CARE) lab at Lawrence University.
Wellness Screen is VOLUNTARY. If you do not want your student to participate in the program, complete the opt-out form. Please note, students can refuse participation at the time of the screen.
*Mental wellness screening is available for students K-5th grade using a separate tool and process.
Menasha Center & Admin Offices
1205 Province Terrace
Menasha, WI 54952
(920) 886-9319
(920) 486-5340 (fax)
First Presbyterian Church
110 Church Ave
Oshkosh, WI 54901
(920) 235-1678
(920) 486-5340 (fax)
United Methodist Church
709 W. Pine St
New London, WI 54961
(920) 982-7863
(920) 486-5340 (fax)
Immanuel United Church of Christ
510 Sullivan Ave
Kaukauna, WI 54130
(920) 886-9319
(920) 486-5340 (fax)
