Removing guns, 1 child at a time

Via Terry

Well, it seems Minnesota’s largest school district is discussing screening high school students for depression and anxiety in the classroom.

“As part of a state grant to improve mental health services,” notes this CBS Minnesota, “Anoka-Hennepin schools could offer a screening as soon as next fall. Dr. Nita Kumar, a mental-health consultant for the district, said Friday that the idea is to get students to talk about something they may hide from their parents or not even understand what is happening.”

To assist in determining the potential for depression, 10th-graders will be given the PHQ9 form, the same form “many doctors’ offices provide.” The form can be seen here. It asks nine questions about the student’s emotional state for which answers can range from “not at all” to “nearly every day.”

“Over the last 2 weeks,” the questionnaire prompts, “how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?” The listed problems include such vague and all-encompassing considerations as: “Little interest or pleasure in doing things.” “Feeling tired or having little energy.” “Poor appetite or overeating.” “Feeling bad about yourself – or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down.”

I’m sorry, am I missing something here? We’re talking teenagers, the most hormonally fluctuating demographic on the planet.

More @ WND