However, screening in schools is not without controversy.
Some perceive screening as government
intrusion, and others describe it as a violation of the
family’s right to privacy. These concerns appear to
be based on the erroneous belief that screening programs
in schools require all students to be screened
against their wishes or against those of the parents.32
In fact, ‘‘mandatory universal screening’’ for behavioral
health issues does not exist anywhere and has
never been recommended by any federal agency or
community screening program. All existing mental
health screening programs are voluntary and require
active informed consent of the family and the assent
of the student. It is likely that another factor contributing
to the misunderstanding surrounding screening
is stigma. The President’s Commission acknowledged
the pervasive nature of stigma and the need to
actively address it.