Figure 3. Definitions of mental health services used in CMHS survey
Question to Respondents: Are any of the following mental health services available to juveniles assigned beds at your facility?
Screening for Mental Health Problems (Screening). A formal or informal mental health screening of all juveniles assigned beds at your facility. Screening is designed to briefly identify youth at risk of mental health problems, to determine whether services are needed, or to link him/her to the most appropriate and available service resources.
Mental Health Evaluation or Appraisal (Evaluation). A clinical evaluation or appraisal (other than routine screening) done by a mental health professional to determine a juvenile's diagnosis and problem and to provide information upon which to formulate a plan for subsequent services. Exclude evaluations for competency to stand trial and court-ordered evaluation or appraisal.
Emergency Mental Health Services (Emergency). Procedures for handling crises when a juvenile is at risk of harm to self or others. Procedures must include emergency mental health evaluation or appraisal and treatment and be available 24 hours a day.
Medication Therapy (Medication). Includes prescription, administration, and monitoring of potential side effects of psychopharmacological medication.
24-Hour Inpatient Mental Health Care (24-hour). Mental health care provided in a hospital or in a designated area with a number of beds allocated for mental health services. The mental health beds are under the authority of a physician and offer 24-hour nursing coverage.
Residential Treatment With Mental Health Services (Separate Residential). Mental health care provided in conjunction with a specially assigned living arrangement for juveniles with mental health problems. These living arrangements can be in a separate building or in a designated unit. Examples of residential treatment programs include therapeutic communities and units for sex offenders, violent youth, or youth with specified mental health problems.
Mental Health Therapy/Counseling (Therapy). Psychotherapy or counseling provided by a licensed mental health professional on a scheduled or walk-in basis. Exclude informal counseling provided by facility staff and others with no formal mental health training. Exclude therapy/counseling provided in conjunction with mental health screening, mental health evaluation or appraisal, emergency services, 24-hour inpatient mental health care, and residential treatment with mental health services.