Why implement Mood Check at your school?
- Through universal screening, the Mood Check team is able to “catch” at-risk students who may not be identified through other established methods for identifying students with concerns within schools. The program consistently identifies students who are not on anyone’s “radar.”
- A review of program data over time suggests that Mood Check is associated with decreased depressive symptoms in at-risk adolescents and may encourage families to seek treatment for students we identify. This kind of success in a school setting is consistent with additional research indicating that teens prefer to receive mental health services in schools rather than in mental health specialty settings.
- Research on school-based depression prevention interventions suggests that programs delivered by personnel external to the school (e.g., mental health professionals, program staff) are associated with stronger effects than the same or similar programs delivered by classroom teachers or school staff (e.g., Calear & Christensen, 2010; Wahl et al., 2014; Werner-Seidler et al., 2017, 2021; Zhang et al., 2023).
- Program data indicates that following educational sessions, students and school staff report a significant increase in their knowledge and understanding of depression and suicide, and a significant decrease in stigmatizing attitudes.
- Anecdotally, we have found that teens are more willing to speak with us because they know they won’t see us again; it can be easier to speak openly with someone outside of the school and home environment rather than with a parent, teacher, or guidance counselor. Mood Check is an important tool that schools can use to navigate the current crisis in youth mental health and support the overall emotional wellbeing of their students.
What do students receive from Mood Check?
- Education on signs of depression, anxiety, and suicidality
- Information on what to do if they or a friend experience a mental health crisis
- Resources for mental health information and services
- The ability to speak privately with a Mood Check member about themselves or a friend
- The opportunity to check-in about their mood
What do parents/guardians get out of Mood Check?
- Information and resources about depression and anxiety
- Individualized conversations and recommendations about their child’s mood, if indicated by screening results or conversations
- Follow-up support, check-ins, and ongoing access to Mood Check staff
What do schools get out of Mood Check?
- An additional team checking on the mood and safety of their students
- Annual reports on screening and intervention results
- Additional clinical staff who provide support and education to the school community, including both faculty/staff and parents
Testimonials from Parents and Educators:
“This was a wake-up call for us… it was life-changing.”
“I appreciate the fact that you are doing this for our children. I think this is a great conversation starter for me to talk to my children about depression… I wish there was a program like this when I was a teen.”
“I could not be happier with the thorough, thoughtful, supportive, and genuinely caring work you and your staff do for our students.”
“I hope all high schools have this amazing program and follow-up system in place.”
References:
- Calear, A. L., & Christensen, H. (2010). Systematic review of school-based prevention and early intervention programs for depression. Journal of Adolescence, 33(3), 429–438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2009.07.004
- Wahl, M., Adelson, J., Patak, M., Pössel, P., & Hautzinger, M. (2014). Teachers or Psychologists: Who Should Facilitate Depression Prevention Programs in Schools? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 11(5), 5294–5316. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph110505294
- Werner-Seidler, A., Perry, Y., Calear, A. L., Newby, J. M., & Christensen, H. (2017). School-based depression and anxiety prevention programs for young people: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 51(51), 30–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2016.10.005
- Werner-Seidler, A., Spanos, S., Calear, A. L., Perry, Y., Torok, M., O’Dea, B., Christensen, H., & Newby, J. M. (2021). School-based depression and anxiety prevention programs: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 89, 102079. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102079
- Zhang, Q., Wang, J., & Neitzel, A. (2023). School-based mental health interventions targeting depression or anxiety: A meta-analysis of rigorous randomized controlled trials for school-aged children and adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 52(1), 195–217. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-022-01684-4
Contact Us
Email: moodcheck@brown.edu | Phone Number: 401-863-5123
Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute | Brown University School of Public Health