The 30-minute screenings, hosted by Davis Behavioral Health, Davis County Health Department, Davis School District and Utah State University Extension, will be held Nov. 2 by appointment only at Davis Behavioral Health, 934 S. Main St. in Layton. Appointments can be made no later than Monday by calling 801-336-1742 or signing up at dbhutah.org/screening.

“Access to behavioral health services has been identified as a top public health improvement priority since 2013,” said Christi Blankman, K-12 prevention coordinator for the Davis School District. “This event is one effort to improve access by helping youth and their families to identify if there are any issues and then helping link them to services as needed.”

Family peer support specialists will be available to help participants find the proper community resources they need, including medical treatment, counseling and support groups.

According to the latest Student Health and Risk Prevention survey conducted last October, 33% of 70,000 Utah youth surveyed said they had felt hopeless, sad or anxious due to COVID-19 and 17.5% admitted considering suicide.

“Mental health screening events for youth have been conducted annually in Davis County since 2017,” said Teresa Smith, coordinator of the Davis County Health Department’s Davis HELPS Coalition. “According to event evaluations, participants are usually very satisfied and appreciate the services and follow-up offered.”

Appointments will run from 4-7 p.m.. In the week prior to appointments, children and their parents will receive an online screening survey that needs to be completed in advance. Although the screening is not a full psychological evaluation and clinical diagnosis will not be made, the in-person meeting with a clinician will address the emotional and social needs of the child as well as anxiety, depression, trauma and safety concerns.

A copy of the 2022 Davis County Behavioral Health Directory in both English and Spanish will be available at the event. You can also obtain a copy at davis4health.org. A screening for secondary schools will be held Feb. 1, 2023.