(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Mental health professionals are applauding a new state mandate to screen Illinois school student but say it won’t solve all problems.
Starting this fall, Illinois students must be screened to identify children with mental health issues.
Robin Koelsch with the organization Communities In Schools of Chicago said this is a good thing, but she adds that she understands why some parents may be hesitant.
But people should know that a screening is not a diagnosis, and no children will be labeled, Koelsch said.
Geri Kerger, director of National Alliance on Mental Illness DuPage, cautions that screening won't identify or help solve every problem. Officials need to decide what happens when problems are identified.
Mental health and young people are discussed in this weekend’s edition of “At Issue,” which airs at 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
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