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HEADSS Assessment Questionnaire

Gary Jorgenson, RN

The HEADSS assessment is a psychosocial screening tool for adolescents, evaluating key life domains to identify risks and strengths. It covers Home (living situation, family relationships), Education/Employment (school performance, work), Activities (hobbies, social engagement), Drugs (substance use), Sexuality/Suicide/Depression (relationships, mental health), and Safety (risky behaviors). Developed by Dr. Henry Berman and refined over decades, it's widely used in clinical settings to foster open dialogue and guide interventions. The framework is adaptable, non-copyrighted, and supported by public domain sources like the American Academy of Pediatrics' Bright Futures guidelines.