“Running to the Nearest Fire”: Districts’ Motivation and Capacity to Adopt Universal Mental Health Screening

Universal mental health screening is recommended to schools to address youths’ growing mental health needs. Yet, adoption rates are disappointingly low. Understanding this gap between recommendations and implementation is critical for organizing strategies that increase uptake. Grounded within an established implementation science framework for adoption readiness, this study interviewed school district leaders (n = 12) from Florida with new state funding for mental health services to identify barriers to adoption, as well as potential solutions, in non-screening districts. Results from thematic analysis suggest both stakeholders’ motivation (e.g., perceived compatibility with district needs and values, relative advantage compared to existing practices) and capacity (e.g., knowledge of how to implement screening, staff availability, funding) factors are key challenges and potential avenues of change. Implementation support strategies targeting these factors are recommended.Impact StatementThis study advances our understanding of factors that impact school districts’ adoption of universal mental health screening (UMHS). Results suggest that adoption requires motivation, a general capacity for change, and the specific capacity to implement UMHS in particular. The results of this study specify potential targets for policy and advocacy work that could increase the uptake of UMHS nationwide.