We screen for vision and hearing. We track academic growth. But when it comes to mental health — the foundation for learning, connection, and safety — many schools still lack systematic tools to understand how students are really doing.
That’s beginning to change.
Universal mental health screening is emerging as a key best practice in education, helping schools move from reactive to proactive support.
By identifying needs early, districts can better address challenges like chronic absenteeism, behavior concerns, and declining academic performance before they escalate.
Research shows that students with untreated mental health challenges are twice as likely to fail a grade compared to their peers, and that poor mental health often creates a cycle of disengagement from schoolwork and attendance issues (Schools That Lead). Additionally, students struggling with anxiety, depression, or other emotional challenges are significantly more likely to miss school altogether, with 16% of missed days in secondary schools attributed directly to mental health disorders (The Wave Clinic).
If you're exploring how to bring mental health screening into your district, two important questions will shape your path:
(1) What type of screener should we use?
(2) How does early screening fit into our larger priorities, like MTSS and Tier 1 supports?
Let’s dive into both.
Choosing the Right Screener for Your District
When selecting a screener, the first decision is whether you want to assess social emotional competencies or mental health risk.
- Social Emotional Competency Assessments focus on assessing student competencies like self-awareness, emotion regulation, and relationship skills.
➔ Ideal for informing where there are competency gaps that can be addressed using Tier 1 SEL instruction, improving school climate, and building protective factors across your whole student body. - Universal Mental Health Screeners identify students who may be struggling with emotional distress, internalizing symptoms (like anxiety or depression), or behavior challenges.
➔ Essential for connecting at-risk students to Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions under MTSS.
TIP: If your primary goal is building resilience schoolwide, an SEL assessment may be the right starting point. If your goal is early identification of students needing additional support, a mental health screener is the stronger choice.
Alongside allows you to integrate both types of assessments—giving you a comprehensive picture without overburdening staff or students.
Casting a Wide Net: Broad vs. Disorder-Specific Screening
Another choice you'll face is whether to start with a broad screener or a disorder-specific tool.
- Transdiagnostic screeners assess overall signs of risk across emotional, social, and behavioral domains.
- Disorder-specific screeners focus narrowly on conditions like depression, anxiety, or substance use.
For most districts starting out, beginning with a transdiagnostic screener is recommended. It casts a wide net, spotting early concerns even among students who aren't yet showing obvious symptoms.
Research indicates that between 15% and 30% of students screened through universal mental health screeners show early signs of emotional or behavioral concerns requiring additional support (National Center for School Mental Health).
Where Screening Fits Within Your MTSS Framework
Mental health screening fits naturally into your district’s Tier 1 efforts, as a proactive support offered to every student.
When embedded thoughtfully, screening can:
- Normalize mental health check-ins and reduce stigma
- Identify school-wide patterns and hotspots
- Inform targeted SEL lessons and advisory programming
- Strengthen the feedback loop between Tier 1 and Tier 2/3 interventions
In fact, normalizing mental health discussions and identifying needs early can help reduce stigma around asking for help—one of the biggest barriers students report. In a 2023 survey, nearly 16% of students said they missed school not because of physical illness, but because they felt too anxious or too sad to attend (Education Week).
In short, screening is not a standalone event. It becomes part of a larger system of care that adapts to meet students’ evolving needs.
How Alongside Can Support Your Screening Goals
If you're looking for a student-friendly, scalable approach, Alongside offers tools that fit seamlessly into your existing systems.
- Options for Universal Mental Health and/or SEL Competency Assessment:
Administered easily during the standard Alongside onboarding process. - Validated, easy-to-use assessments:
Including the Washoe County SEL assessment and transdiagnostic screeners covering emotional concerns, conduct, peer relationships, and more. - Built-in student supports:
Students can immediately access skill-building tools, in-app coaching, and emotional check-ins after completing screeners. - Privacy by design:
Alongside is fully FERPA, COPPA, and HIPAA-compliant. - Flexible customization:
Districts can choose from standardized measures or work with the Alongside team to build a customized screening approach aligned to their specific goals.
Final Thoughts
Universal mental health screening isn’t about labeling students, it’s about listening.
It’s about creating a system where no student falls through the cracks, and every student knows: someone sees me, someone cares, and help is here if I need it.
With the right tools and the right approach, every district can build a culture where emotional well-being is supported alongside academic growth.
Wondering how mental health screening could fit into your district’s broader student support strategy?
Our team at Alongside would be happy to brainstorm solutions that work for you. Schedule a consultation today.
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