JULY2002

What are some commonly used screening instruments in juvenile justice? Which do you recommend?

Some of the more commonly used screening instruments used in juvenile justice include:

• Children's Depression Inventory (CDI): The CDI is a self report of symptoms that screens for signs and symptoms related to depression and suicidality (Kovacs, 1981)

• The Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument II (MAYSI 2): The MAYSI 2 is a self report that screens for potential mental health and substance use needs (Grisso & Barnum, 2000).

• Devereux Scales for Mental Disorders (DSMD): The DSMD is a clinician-rated behavior rating scale to measure behaviors associated with psychopathology (Naglieri, LeBuffe & Pfeiffer, 1994).

• SCL 90 or Brief Symptom Inventory

• Problem Oriented Screening Instrument for Teenagers (POSIT)

I frequently recommend the MAYSI 2 for screening for mental health problems at significant, early points of contact with the juvenile justice system. Some points where important decisions about the youth are made and where the MAYSI 2 can be administered by a non-clinician are at the point of arrest; at intake; when a decision is being made to hold a youth or release him/her to a parent; at admission to the detention center; at admission to a community program; and at admission to a residential program or training school or camp.

The MAYSI 2: 

• Is quick (It takes 8 - 10 minutes to complete.)

• Can be administered by non-clinician

• Can be administered by computer

• Uses immediate scoring

• Is free to use

• Shows Caution and Warning scores indicating the need for a clinical interview/consultation

MAYSI 2 screening covers seven critical domains: 

• Alcohol/drug use

• Anger/irritability

• Depression/anxiety

• Somatic complaints

• Suicide ideas

• Thought disturbance

• Traumatic experiences

The need for screening in juvenile justice has increased as professionals learn more about the prevalence of youth with mental health disorders in juvenile justice facilities and programs. Youth with mental health disorders present significant management issues to administrators and program staff. In many cases, staff need to be retrained and programs need to be revamped to meet the special needs of this increasingly recognized population. For some youth who have serious mental health disorders and who have committed a criminal offense, life within the correctional environment is very difficult. For others, it is almost impossible. The issues are further complicated by the fact that youth in the juvenile justice system do not present with one neat mental health disorder. It is much more common to find that they have co-occurring substance use/abuse and mental health disorders and/or co-existing mental health disorders.

The increasing numbers of youth needing mental health intervention has made it essential for juvenile correctional administrators to assure a clinical presence or to at least have staff on hand who understand the nature, signs and symptoms of mental health disorders. Management issues for the most frequent disorders must be a part of the ongoing training for staff.

I have found that the use of the MAYSI 2 protects the safety and welfare of the youth by identifying youth who may be in emotional crisis or trauma at very early points in the juvenile justice system. This early identification facilitates an early referral to a mental health diagnostician and/or consultation and intervention when necessary. It also alerts staff to monitor youth at higher risk of emotional crisis.