Mental Health Screening in Idaho's Juvenile Detention Centers: Results of a Four-Year Evaluation

It is well documented that untreated or undertreated mental health (MH) and substance abuse (SA) disorders guide juveniles (Rogers, Zima, Powell, & Pumariega, 2001; Sullivan, Veysey, Hamilton, & Grillo, 2007) into the corrections system. Until recently in Idaho, routine screening for these types of problems did not take place in juvenile detention centers (JDCs). Since 2008, the Clinical Services Program (CSP) has staffed mental health clinicians in Idaho's JDCs to screen for and diagnose MH and SA disorders that were largely untreated, as well as to facilitate community-based treatment upon juveniles' release from JDCs. The results of four years of evaluation of the CSP reveals that a clear majority of juveniles entering Idaho's JDCs have a MH problem (four-year average = 62%, range 59-68%), SA problem (four-year average = 47%, range 43-54%), or both (four-year average = 76%, range 72-82%). Nearly two-thirds of these juveniles (four-year average = 66%, range 59-68%) had been diagnosed with a MH or SA disorder prior to their detention, but were untreated or undertreated in the community. This presentation will highlight the value of the screening programs such as the CSP in identifying MH and SA disorders and facilitating treatment for juveniles identified with these problems. It will also demonstrate that the appropriate treatment of MH and SA disorders in the community can help juveniles who have these problems from getting involved in the juvenile justice system in the first place—creating healthier families and communities and saving society millions of dollars in the process.