What is TeenScreen?
TeenScreen is a mental illness screening program developed by Columbia
University Children’s Psychiatric Center. The National Advisors are
primarily made up of consultants from the drug industry (http://www.teenscreentruth.com/teenscreen_advisory_board.htm
) marketing drugs through public schools.
In the case of the Urbandale school, the school board, led by the
advocacy of Greg Robinson, School Superintendent, has endorsed, without
adequate parental or community input, implementation of the TeenScreen
program. However, TeenScreen cannot implement
the program without parental consent.
What can parents do?
Parents would do well to monitor the school closely. Above all,
learn the facts. Brief diagnostic instruments, especially broad
screenings, are not well validated. With any type
of government intrusiveness, there is a risk of harm, not only in terms
of stigmatization, misdiagnoses and medications but as it regards
interventions… the nightmare of social services having the authority to
intrude into the family. TeenScreen results as much as...
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