The Juvenile Justice Standards developed by the Institute of Judicial Administration and the American Bar Association reflect a trend away from the therapeutic aspect of the juvenile court and toward due process for juveniles accused of delinquent offenses. (Author/MJL)

The article addresses the role of the rehabilitation counselor in assisting the discharged psychiatric patient on maintenance doses of antipsychotic medication. Suggestions are offered to the counselor to help maintain the client outside the hospital setting. (Author/PHR)

In an increasingly cost-conscious health care environment, average length of hospital stay has decreased. Although psychiatric inpatient treatment is largely exempt from the constraints of the Medicare diagnosis related groups (DRG's), length of stay for geropsychiatric hospital services has decreased also. A trend toward higher rates of early…

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was officially recognized as a disorder by the American Psychiatric Association in January 1980, and the Veterans Administration (VA) started processing veterans' claims for the disorder in October 1980. To investigate allegations that the Buffalo VA Regional Office was disapproving a high percentage of claims…

The term "organization development" (OD) encompasses techniques developed to facilitate communication and collaborative problem solving in work groups. This discussion focuses on defining OD, describing its current use in mental health and human service organizations, and assessing potential payoffs and disadvantages of implementing OD programs in…

The article explores the feasibility of integrating child and adolescent inpatient psychiatric care. Aspects to consider in setting up such a program include the nature of the integration (partial at first, using a child/adolescent tutorial model), the diagnostic categories to be integrated, the age ranges of patients, and staff preferences. (PHR)

Examines the debates between civil libertarian attorneys and psychiatric professionals. Focuses on the issues of deinstitutionalization, patients' rights, and institutional conditions. Discusses how coalitions can be formed and cites the deinstitutionalization of New York State's Willowbrook Hospital patients as an example of cooperation between…

Depression is defined as a "whole-body" illness, involving the body, mood, and thoughts. Three of the most prevalent types of depressive disorders are described: major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorders (formerly called manic-depressive illness). Eleven symptoms of depression and 10 symptoms of mania are listed. Causes of depression are…

This background paper on children's mental health indicates that less than one-third of the children who have mental health problems receive treatment. Types of mental health problems are discussed, including intellectual, developmental, behavior, emotional, psychophysiological, and adjustment disorders. Enviromental risk factors of poverty and…

Reviews the ethical issues related to involuntary psychiatric treatment, including the conflicts between the principles of beneficence, autonomy, and nonmaleficence with regard to involuntary treatment for the patient's interests versus those of society. Describes moral problems as centering around disagreements regarding the patient's…

Indicates that in diagnoses of mental disorders, Blacks are often diagnosed as schizophrenic, while Whites are more frequently diagnosed as being manic depressive, a less stigmatizing condition. Suggests that biases regarding socioeconomic status lead to misdiagnosis of Blacks. Stresses the need to consider socioeconomic and cultural factors in…

Examines both the methods and the reasons for ensuring that rural populations of elderly mentally retarded citizens receive modern psychiatric assistance and community support. Provides an overview of the models currently available for providing rural delivery of services to the elderly mentally retarded. (Author/TE)

An indication of the failure of the mental health system in this country is reflected in the increasingly visible homeless population, many of whom suffer from some form of untreated mental illness. Public policy priorities have shifted from proactive, treatment-oriented policies to reactive, punitive institutionalization. The…

This paper describes past and present European efforts to address the mental health needs of refugees. It begins with a brief historical survey of mental health services for refugees after the Second World War and delineates the policy recommendations from the 1948 International Congress on Mental Health. The next section describes current…

Examines the issue of involuntary outpatient commitment, and its implications for social workers working in the health system. Describes a nationwide movement to establish a new system of involuntary outpatient commitment to address the failure of deinstitutionalization, mandating mental health treatment in the community for persons ineligible for…