A new tool that helps first responders better identify when children and youth are experiencing mental health concerns can better improve outcomes for them.
To help these workers, such as police officers and the RCMP, gain a deeper knowledge and better assess situations, Nipissing University researchers Ron Hoffman and Greg Brown have developed a mental health screening tool called interRAI Brief Mental Health Screener (BMHS), geared specifically to children and youth.
To date, there have been more than 20 police services across Canada that have implemented the BMHS tool, with the RCMP most recently taking interest to incorporate it into select jurisdictions.
Building on BMHS, the researchers are now further collaborating with Hands theFamilyHelpNetwork on a project that will help local mental health community agencies follow up on children and youth who are at risk of experiencing mental health concerns, leading to earlier intervention and treatment.
For more information, visit Nipissing University.
