Bilingual "Colorado Link" Project to Screen for Symptoms of Depression in Teens; Parents Encouraged to Support Screenings By Signing Consent Forms

As part of an ongoing campaign to identify and treat depression in teens, the Mental Health Association of Colorado is offering free, bilingual depression screenings to students at North High School in Denver.

The screenings are available throughout the year. Screenings are completely confidential and free to all students - but require parental consent.

The screenings are part of the Mental Health Association of Colorado's "Colorado Link Project," a three-year violence and suicide prevention program for teens. The three-part project includes educational presentations, mental health screenings, and free treatment, if necessary.

Representatives from North High School, in collaboration with community-based health and youth organizations, will begin by providing educational presentations to parents, teachers and students about suicide and suicide prevention.

In the weeks following each presentation, students will answer a short, written questionnaire to screen for symptoms of depression, drug and alcohol use, and suicidal behaviors. If a written screening indicates a student is at risk, the student will participate in a more comprehensive computer-based assessment and if necessary, the student and their family will be offered the opportunity for free, on-site treatment. Treatment, depending on individual need, may include individual, family or group therapy, support groups or other treatment.

"In 1995, Colorado ranked fifth in the nation for teen suicide, and trends in Colorado show that adolescents are increasingly the victims and perpetrators of violence," said Renee Rivera, director of education for the Mental Health Association of Colorado. "Because most suicides are preceded by depression, we want to identify and help those teens before it's too late. Parents may be unaware that their child suffers from depression, or they may be aware of a problem and not know what to do about it. The Colorado Link Project offers parents a free, confidential and proactive way to support their kids, and we encourage each parent to sign a consent form so that their child can get screened."

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than eight percent of U.S. adolescents suffer from depression, which can lead to school failure, alcohol or other drug use and suicide. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, girls, children of color and children receiving care through public service systems are even less likely to get the help they need. The more parents, educators and health care providers know about mental health, the more they can help teens reach their full potential.

For more information on the Colorado Link Project or adolescent depression, or to receive a copy of the parental consent form, call (303) 377-3040 or visit www.mhacolorado.org.

The Colorado Link Project is a three-year violence and suicide prevention program aimed at educating youth, parents and community stakeholders about teen violence, suicide risk and the early warning signs associated with both. By working in collaboration with schools, parents, law enforcement, health care, and community groups, the Colorado Link Project screens high school students for early warning signs and offers referral services for free, on-site treatment and counseling.

The Colorado Link Project is overseen by the Mental Health Association of Colorado, in partnership with Servicios de la Raza, Urban Peak, The Walter S. Jackson Community Alcohol-Drug Rehabilitation Center (C.A.D.R.E.C.), and the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program.

The Mental Health Association of Colorado "MHAC" is a non-profit association providing leadership to address the full range of mental health issues in Colorado. The association is a catalyst for improving diagnosis, care and treatment for people of all ages with mental health problems. MHAC responds to the public's demand for current, accurate information about mental health issues. It also develops public policy on key issues. For more information, visit www.mhacolorado.org or call Margaret Maupin with Maupin Public Relations, 303-477-9978.