heads_ed_score: HEADS-ED Screening Tool for Pediatric Mental Health

In cliot: Clinical Indices and Outcomes Tools

HEADS-ED Screening Tool for Pediatric Mental Health

Description

Calculates the HEADS-ED score to guide the disposition of pediatric patients presenting to the Emergency Department with mental health concerns. The tool evaluates 7 domains scored 0 (No concern), 1 (Moderate concern), or 2 (Severe concern). A total score of 8 or higher (or a score of 2 on Suicidality) typically indicates the need for immediate psychiatric consultation.

Usage

heads_ed_score(home, education, activities_peers, drugs_alcohol, suicidality,
               emotions_behavior, discharge_resources)

Arguments

home	Numeric (0-2). Status of home environment. 0: Supportive relationships. 1: Recent conflict or stress. 2: Unstable, breakdown in supervision, or crisis.
education	Numeric (0-2). School performance and attendance. 0: Attends regularly, passing. 1: Increasing absences or declining grades. 2: Not attending, suspended, or failing.
activities_peers	Numeric (0-2). Engagement in activities and peer relationships. 0: Involved in activities, good peer group. 1: Dropped activites or peer conflict. 2: Socially isolated, no positive activities.
drugs_alcohol	Numeric (0-2). Substance use. 0: No use. 1: Occasional use. 2: Chronic use interfering with function or acute intoxication.
suicidality	Numeric (0-2). Suicidal ideation or behavior. 0: No ideation. 1: Ideation without plan or intent. 2: Active plan, intent, or recent attempt.
emotions_behavior	Numeric (0-2). Observable mood and behavior. 0: Calm, cooperative. 1: Anxious, depressed, or irritable but manageable. 2: Aggressive, severely agitated, or psychotic.
discharge_resources	Numeric (0-2). Availability of follow-up supports. 0: Strong connections to community services. 1: Some barriers or limited supports. 2: No supports or caregiver burnout.

Value

A list containing:

HEADS_ED_Score	The calculated total score (Range 0-14).
Clinical_Action	Recommendation regarding consultation or discharge.

References

Cappelli M, Gray C, Zemek R, et al. The HEADS-ED: A rapid mental health screening tool for pediatric patients in the emergency department. Pediatrics. 2012;130(2):e321-327. doi:10.1542/peds.2011-3798

Examples

# Example 1: High Risk (Consult Required)
# Unstable home (2), Failing school (2), Suicidality with plan (2)
# Score = 10
heads_ed_score(2, 2, 0, 1, 2, 1, 2)

# Example 2: Discharge Candidate
# Mild anxiety (1), School stress (1), Supportive home (0)
# Score = 2
heads_ed_score(0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0)

cliot documentation built on Dec. 1, 2025, 1:06 a.m.