The Challenge is the definitive guide to the key ideas and resources behind Ready by 21. The Ready by 21 challenge aims to develop a solution for a common dilemma--too few young people are entering adulthood ready and our collective efforts to make a difference are far too fragmented to have a big impact. As part of the Forum's solution, leaders…

Commissioned papers by a work group on risk factors for youth suicide, which examined environmental, behavioral, socio-cultural, biological, and psychological factors associated with an increased likelihood of suicide among young people are presented in this document. The following papers are presented: (1) "Sociodemographic, Epidemiologic,…

Commissioned papers by a work group on strategies for the prevention of youth suicide are presented in this document. Included are: (1) "The Federal Role in Youth Suicide Research and Programs: The Legacy of Recent History" (Margaret Gerteis and Mark L. Rosenberg); (2) "Estimating the Effectiveness of Interventions to Prevent Youth Suicides: A…

Commissioned papers by a work group on prevention and interventions in youth suicide are presented in this document. Included are: (1) "Primary Prevention: A Consideration of General Principles and Findings for the Prevention of Youth Suicide" (Robert Felner); (2) "A Critical Review of Preventive Intervention Efforts in Suicide, with Particular…

Reviews empirical literature on comorbidity of anxiety and depressive disorders in youth, emphasizing prevalence of comorbidity, assessment and measurement difficulties, familial factors, and developmental differences. Examines nature of anxiety and depression in youth. Presents treatment recommendations from cognitive-behavioral framework. Notes…

This document presents an overview of the issues involved in youth suicide which were considered by the Secretary's Task Force on Youth Suicide assembled by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The findings of the task force are presented. The task force concluded that: (1) state of knowledge about youth suicide is much less developed than…

This report describes the activities of the Administration for Children, Youth and Families in the Department of Health and Human Services, and the status and accomplishments of runaway and homeless youth centers funded during fiscal year 1984 under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act. The report also examines the status, operations, and…

Reviews some therapy techniques which have not proved successful in working with disturbed young people. A contemporary theory of family-oriented therapy is then presented. (HMV)

Discusses video games as an emerging addiction among students. Describes the appeal of the games, their impact on students, and measures passed in some cities to curb adolescent involvement. Counselors must be prepared to anticipate and ameliorate potentially negative side effects. (JAC)

Presents assessment strategies, preventive methods, and clinical interventions to assist clinicians working with teenagers involved with deviant subcultures: Satanism, the neo-Nazi skinhead movement, and violent street gangs. Considers role of alienation as contributing factor in adolescents' participation in these subcultures. Advises therapists…

Attempts to describe the psychological processes that predispose an individual to adopt a Satanic belief system. Describes processes in terms of child-parent relationships and the developmental tasks of adolescence. Proposes a model called the web of psychic tension to represent the process of Satanic cult adoption. Describes techniques for…

Provides lists of gang identifiers and terminology. Suggests that, to find out names and associated identifiers of local gangs, readers should talk to their local police. Included in listing are descriptions of gang-related symbols, physical signals, graffiti, slogans, right-left rules, colors, clothing, jewelry, hair styles, and fingernails. Also…

Explores adolescent Satanism as a phenomenon of adolescent developmental issues, most frequently occurring in the context of chemical abuse. Explains what a cult is, reviews history of Church of Satan, identifies characteristics of adolescent Satanism, and provides a case study of 16-year-old male with chemical dependency who becomes involved in…

Reviews the rationale and concepts involved in the behavioral evaluation of delinquents and provides several approaches and instruments for organizing information about youths in trouble. Provides a format and process for preparing a behavioral assessment report. (Author/LHW)

Discusses the concept of loneliness and some program strategies for school counselors to use in responding to concerns about loneliness. Counseling techniques include exploration of loneliness, improving self-esteem, improving social skills, and managing anxiety. (JAC)