ToolsCalculators
HEADS-ED
Rapid psychosocial screen for children and adolescents in the emergency department.
HEADS-ED
Home
Education
Activities and peers
Drugs and alcohol
Suicidality
Emotions and behaviour
Discharge resources
Result0 points
Score suggests psychiatric consultation is not immediately indicated on this screen alone; use clinical judgement.
- Total score
- 0 of 14
- Suicidality sub-score
- 0
When to use
- Rapid triage of psychosocial and mental-health risk in children and adolescents presenting to the emergency department, to help standardise handoff and disposition discussions with mental health services.
Formula
Seven domains (Home, Education, Activities/peers, Drugs/alcohol, Suicidality, Emotions/behaviour, Discharge resources), each scored 0 (no concern) to 2 (severe/urgent concern). Total range 0-14.
Pearls and pitfalls
- A total score ≥8, or a Suicidality sub-score of 2, has been associated with need for psychiatric consultation or admission in validation work.
- Designed to be completed quickly by non-mental-health-trained emergency staff, not as a diagnostic instrument.