Screening used for teen suicide prevention

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y., June 16 (UPI) -- New York is joining a growing number of states that use psychological evaluations to identify suicidal teens.

The state plans to screen 400,000 children a year, spending more than $60 million to expand youth suicide prevention initiatives such as TeenScreen, The Washington Post reported Friday.

TeenScreen, developed by Columbia University, has been administered to more than 150,000 children in 42 states and the District of Columbia.

Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), whose son Garrett committed suicide three years ago, believes the test could have made a difference.

"Without a doubt, had TeenScreen been available to us as Garrett's parents, I am convinced we would have been empowered to save his live," Smith said. "Logic tells me the more you know, the more you are able to help.

The federal government is already directing tens of millions of dollars a year to expand screening nationwide, even though a panel of government experts concluded two years ago that the evidence to justify screening was weak and such programs had the potential for adverse consequences.