It's time to screen all kids for anxiety, physicians' task force recommends
In light of the growing kids' mental health crisis, the group says it's crucial to identify kids who are struggling. The advice doesn't call for suicide screening, which many experts think is needed.
An influential panel of experts says all kids ages eight to 18 should be screened regularly for anxiety. This draft recommendation by the United States Preventative Task Force comes at a time when mental health problems among kids have escalated and are overwhelming the health system.
The task force also recommends that kids 12 and older continue to be screened for depression, a recommendation that's been in place since 2016.
The screenings are usually done by primary care physicians using standardized questionnaires that parents and/or kids answer, depending on their age.
"We were already, a professor of nursing at George Mason University and a member of the task force.
