Early Identification Tools for Proactive Pediatric Screening

Key Tools for Pediatricians in Mental Health Management

Routine mental health and social determinant screening helps identify concerns before they escalate to a crisis. Pediatric practices can embed validated tools like the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC-17) and suicide-specific screeners (e.g., ASQ, PHQ-9, CSSRS) during routine follow-ups, or any time a concern is raised by the caregiver, patient, or provider.

The Pediatric Education and Advocacy Kit (PEAK): Suicide offers clear protocols for screening and safety planning that fit routine visits.

Recommended Screening Tools by Age Group

Age Group Common Conditions Recommended Tools

Age 0-5

Development, trauma, family risk

SWYC, SEEK-PR, SWYC, ASQ-3, We Care, PSC, SDQ

Age 6-11

Behavioral concerns, early mood symptoms

C-SSRS, PSC, SDQ

Age 12-17

Depression, anxiety, suicidality, substance use

PHQ-9, ASQ, CRAFFT, C-SSRS and SAFE-T, SDQ, PSC


How to Use:

  • Integrate into annual well-child visits or behavioral check-ins
  • Administer confidentially in a youth-friendly format
  • Use trauma-informed approaches to explain the purpose
  • Incorporate EMR prompts and flagging
  • Document follow-up and share results with care teams


How PMHCA Can Assist:

  • Helping select tools tailored to your population
  • Training staff in tool administration and scoring
  • Supporting trauma-informed workflows
  • Advising on EMR integration



PMHCA Checklist: Pediatric Screening Implementation

Use the checklist as a quick reference to ensure safe, consistent, and timely pediatric screening implementation.

Download Checklist
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