In Wisconsin, schools strive to create learning environments where all students and staff feel healthy, safe, supported, engaged, and challenged. To realize this vision, districts and schools partner with students, families, and the community to build a comprehensive school mental health system (CSMHS). A CSMHS increases health equity by ensuring…

It is suggested that Community Mental Health (CMH) should be more involved in the development of comprehensive behavioral services, which is now taking place outside the traditional mental health environment. Implications for CMH planning and financing are discussed, drawing upon a selective literature review and clinical illustrations. (SLD)

Rural areas have fewer health services and are proportionally underrepresented in practicing mental health professionals. For community psychology to meet the needs of rural populations, new training approaches for community psychologists will need to be developed. New areas of prevention and intervention will require roles and functions different…

Mental health professionals and the general public have generally held differing attitudes toward mental illness. As part of a needs assessment survey, 102 persons (20 service providers, 20 referral persons, and 62 potential consumers) were interviewed concerning their views of mental health problems and services. Respondents first listed examples…

This paper speaks to the need for a methodology for planning indirect services of a mental health nature in schools. For indirect services to be relevant, plans for intervention need to be based on: (1) comprehensive information about the school; (2) systematic procedures for estimating the relative salience of various problems identified in the…

This publication presents adaptations of four papers given at a workshop on Staffing and Manpower Development, sponsored by the Mental Health Manpower Development project of the Southern Regional Education Board. The introduction delineates four dimensions to be considered in describing staffing patterns (organization, utilization, type, and…

In this study social indicators and survey measures were used to predict three-year service utilization rates at a community mental health center on a geographic basis. Ten social indicators were selected from available census tract statistics and seven survey measures were taken from an epidemiological survey of the catchment area of the mental…

This paper describes the development of a consumer-based program in rural Essex County (New York) for families with children with emotional disorders. Initially, in-depth, in-home interviews were held with 24 families who had children with serious emotional disturbances concerning their service needs and desires. The following needs were expressed…

This paper reports on efforts underway in New York State to develop the Individualized Needs for Services Assessment (INSA). The INSA is a set of standardized procedures and data definitions to guide assessment of service needs for children with serious emotional disturbances (SED). The INSA procedure for children with SED is designed to be…

The characteristics of needs assessment, in terms of social and health programs, are discussed, as well as misunderstandings, criticisms, and suggested changes in needs assessment activities. (MH)

The report by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, "Starting Points: Meeting the Needs of Our Youngest Children," presents a comprehensive strategy for child well-being. Parent education and universal health coverage are but two aspects of an approach that considers the needs of all families. (SLD)

This publication was developed to provide guidelines for persons conducting continuing education programs for community mental health caregivers. (This would include persons primarily involved in the delivery of health, educational, and social welfare services who also are involved in the psychosocial functioning of their clients.) Following a…

This guide is designed for individuals working in community mental health centers or other mental health programs concerned with needs and problems of the elderly. Section One examines the mental health needs of the elderly, and identifies major community social support programs that help the elderly with social and economic needs. Section Two…

This consumer education module is designed to provide consumers of mental health services with the skills necessary to participate in the development and delivery of services. The module is intended for use by both the mental health practitioner or consumer advocate and the mentally disabled individual. One preliminary unit and seven activities,…

This guide presents the recommendations of a task force from Southern state and local mental health agencies, which was convened to design minimum standards for use in the development of prevention/promotion programs. Prevention/Promotion-Oriented Services are defined according to the areas of prevention, promotion, and protection services.…