National Initiative to Focus on Screening All Teens for Depression and Suicide Risk

2/14/2003

From: Rob Caruano or Adina Ellis, 212-260-3401 both for Positive Action for Teen Health

News Advisory:

U.S. Parents Survey: 90 percent think they can tell if their child is at risk yet two-thirds go undetected

Columbia University, joined by leaders in adolescent health and education, will launch a groundbreaking initiative to screen every American teenager for depression and suicide risk. The national program - Positive Action for Teen Health (PATH) - builds on a decade of research by Columbia University that shows a simple confidential screening of teens is effective in detecting adolescents at risk for depression, suicide and other mental illnesses. Over 800,000 U.S. teens suffer from depression each year and more than 500,000 make a suicide attempt requiring medical attention.

A survey of 900 U.S. parents also will be released - one of the most comprehensive national polls of its kind detailing parental knowledge and attitudes about teen depression and suicide.

In addition, Columbia will announce that it is offering free screening materials and technical assistance for up to 400 sites across the U.S. Qualifying communities will receive all screening and evaluation tools at no cost and also will be eligible for free technical assistance on how to connect teens in need to community mental health services. In the past year, Columbia's TeenScreen Program has been implemented at 66 sites in 27 states involving schools and other community institutions.

When: Thursday, February 20, 2003 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Where: National Press Club, 529 14th Street, NW Lisagor/White/Murrow Rooms

Who: -- Dr. David Shaffer Chief of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Columbia University

-- Laurie Flynn National Director, Positive Action for Teen Health (PATH) Former Executive Director of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill

-- Terry Branstad Governor of Iowa (1982-1999); PATH National Advisory Council

-- Robert Chase Past President, National Education Association; PATH Advisory Council

Contact: Rob Caruano or Adina Ellis, 212-260-3401

A national advisory council has been named to guide the work of the PATH effort. The council includes actress Patty Duke, Today show medical reporter Dr. Ian Smith, Boys Town Director Father Val Peter, Nobel Laureate Dr. Eric Kandel, NY Presbyterian Hospital CEO Dr. Herbert Pardes, and A Beautiful Mind author Sylvia Nasar.

CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST WILL BE SERVED AT 9:15 A.M.