Classroom Screening & Brief Prevention Interventions Targeting Wellness

Classroom Screening & Brief Prevention Interventions Targeting Wellness

Screening and Brief Interventions (SBIs) such as SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment) are an evidence-based practice with proven outcomes in reducing substance use among youth and young adults.

However, there are several challenges, along with some limitations, to providing SBIs which have restricted their broader implementation, particularly within schools.

These challenges and limitations include that they:

  1. Require substantial training and skill development for implementation
  2. Are time consuming and impractical as one-on-one interventions
  3. Do not include prevention messaging
  4. Target only at-risk youth
  5. Do not address protective healthy behaviors lacking among most youth

Prevention Plus Wellness (PPW) SBIs address the common challenges and weakness plaguing most SBIs and SBIRT.

How PPW programs address each of these common SBI concerns are described below.

Requires Substantial Training and Skill Development for Implementation

Most SBIs and SBIRT require as much as 2-3 days or more of training to develop the skills needed to provide these unstructured interventions with fidelity and efficacy. 

PPW SBIs, however, use scripted protocols which reduces the length of training time and increases fidelity of program implementation across provider, time and setting.

A typical online, self-paced PPW Program Implementer Training Course takes only 1-2 hours to gain the knowledge, confidence and skills to provide the program with fidelity and maximum effectiveness.

Time Consuming and Impractical as One-on-One Interventions

Because SBIs and SBIRT are usually provided to individuals one-on-one, they can take a lot of time to provide to groups and entire populations.

PPW SBIs come with two scripted protocols.  One to provide the brief intervention to young people one-on-one and the other to groups, classrooms or teams of youth or young adults. 

This later script allows PPW SBIs to be implemented more cost-effectively and makes them more practical in schools and colleges, youth groups, sport teams and elsewhere.

In addition, PPW SBIs are implemented in just a single 45-minute intervention making them feasible in nearly any busy school, community or clinical setting.

Does Not Include Prevention Messaging & Targets Only At-Risk Youth

SBIs and SBIRT are designed to identify individuals at risk for substance misuse and only those individuals are provided with a brief intervention.

PPW SBIs, however, are universal prevention interventions and as such provide substance use prevention messaging for all youth/young adults.

In addition, tailored feedback is provided using the one-on-one script based on individuals’ risk level for substance use/misuse, providing both prevention and early intervention. 

PPW SBIs also include optional validated screeners, including the CRAFFT for youth and ASSIST-Lite for young adults to identify individuals at greater risk for substance misuse for referral to additional services.

 Does Not Address Protective Healthy Behaviors

Like most prevention and early intervention strategies, SBIs and SBIRT are focused on substance use behaviors and risk factors for substance use.

PPW SBIs, on the other hand, are designed to both prevent substance use/misuse as well as promote protective healthy lifestyle behaviors associated with less substance use and enhancing mental and physical wellbeing, performance and happiness.

These healthy behaviors are lacking among most youth and include physical activity, healthy eating, sleep and stress control.

By targeting multiple health risk and protective factors for substance use, PPW SBIs are more cost-effective, comprehensive and sustainable.

 Conclusion

Screening and brief intervention such as SBIRT are excellent tools for combatting substance misuse among young people.

Unfortunately, their limitations and challenges in implementation have restricted their broader use.

Prevention Plus Wellness SBI’s provide solutions to these issues which makes them more practical, appealing and potentially more efficacious than typical SBIs and SBIRT.

Learn more about PPW SBIs: https://preventionpluswellness.com

View PPW Program & Training List: https://preventionpluswellness.com/pages/ppw-programs-training-price-list
Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.