Grow With Grit: A School Nurse–Led SBIRT Pilot for Early Anxiety Detection

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This prospective, single-cohort pilot assesses a school nurse–driven SBIRT workflow in four public elementary schools in Great Falls, Montana, focusing on students ages 8 to 12. The approach uses case-finding of somatic complaints and attendance patterns to identify candidates, followed by a brief nurse-delivered coping skills session and referral when needed. Feasibility, acceptability, fidelity, and preliminary changes in student outcomes are evaluated over approximately six months, with no control group. The study aims to inform a future controlled trial and to understand how well the workflow functions in routine school practice. The setting emphasizes rural access to mental health resources and the role of school nurses in early detection.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. GFPS students aged 8-12 years and enrolled at one of the following schools:

   Mountain View Elementary West Elementary Longfellow Elementary Sunnyside Elementary School
2. Participants will be identified through a weekly review of school nurse electronic health records (Frontline EHR) and attendance logs, and will include students who have either:

   1. Three or more nurse visits for somatic complaints within the past 6 weeks. For this study, somatic complaints are defined as the following physical symptoms that are not otherwise linked to exclusionary illness or chronic medical processes: stomach aches, headaches, fatigue, \& generalized muscle aches.
   2. Absenteeism greater than or equal to 10% of total school days due to the previously defined somatic complaints, within the past 6 weeks.
   3. English-speaking without an interpreter (both student and guardian).

Exclusion Criteria

1. Currently receiving ongoing behavioral health services, including psychotherapy, psychiatric medication management, or active behavioral health case management.

   1. Brief, one-time crisis counseling is not considered ongoing services.
   2. Questions about eligibility should be directed to the Principal Investigator.
2. Presence of a chronic medical diagnosis that fully accounts for the student's repeated somatic visits (e.g., asthma with frequent exacerbations, epilepsy, diabetes, sickle cell disease, or active cancer treatment).

   a. Students with partially explained symptoms who are also suspected to have co-occurring anxiety may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the PI/designee.
3. Documented cognitive or communication impairments that preclude meaningful completion of the SCARED screening tool or informed assent.

   1. Examples include moderate to severe intellectual disability or severe receptive/expressive language disorder without feasible accommodations.
   2. Students with an IEP or 504 plan that includes communication supports may be included if they can complete the tool with reasonable accommodations.
4. Students who are wards of the state or in foster care.
5. Non-English speaking students or guardians.
6. Acute safety concerns at the time of screening (e.g., active suicidal ideation with plan/intent, recent suicide attempt, or other crisis requiring immediate intervention).

   1. Such students will be triaged to crisis protocols and excluded from study participation at that time.

Where it's running

• West Elementary School
  Great Falls, Montana, United States Recruiting
• Longfellow Elementary
  Great Falls, Montana, United States Recruiting
• Mountain View Elementary School
  Great Falls, Montana, United States Recruiting
• Sunnyside Elementary School
  Great Falls, Montana, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Donna Sanders R Principal Investigator, DNP-PMH, BSN
• Email: donna.sanders@mclaughlinresearch.org
• Phone: 406-799-6554

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.