Research that appears in the journal Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine has revealed that the court-ordered mental health screening and intervention program recently implemented in Massachusetts has led to better identification of children who are at risk for such illnesses.

Investigators from the MassGeneral Hospital for Children evaluated data from Medicaid visits that took place between 2008 and 2009. They discovered that the number of screenings for mental health issues increased from 80,000 a year to 300,000 following the implementation of the mandate.

Additionally, the number of kids with emotional or behavioral problems that were identified through this initiative more than tripled, rising from 6,000 a year to more than 20,000.

"Childhood psychosocial issues are among the most common and disabling conditions of children and adolescents, both in this country and in the rest of the world," the researchers explained. "Routine screening as a part of well-child care can enable pediatricians to recognize problems sooner and to provide help."

Children and adolescents who struggle with such illnesses may find the guidance and support that they need from a therapeutic boarding school for troubled teens.