Humanistic gerontology is based on the belief that aging can be a rewarding growth and maturation process. This "humanistic" approach to health care emphasizes preventive education and self-responsibility. Helping professions must respond to the unique needs and potentials of the continually expanding elder population. (Author)

The development of affiliate agreements requires an organized and planned approach with specific goals and strategies, taking into account the complex dynamics that operate in inter-organizational relationships. Successful negotiation leads to decisions in the best interest of each partner, not just preservation of the relationship. (JAC)

Notes the evolving definition of mental health "primary prevention," the future of which is currently jeopardized. Describes a study of the effectiveness of primary prevention in relieving some of the signs and symptoms of teacher burnout. Includes the format of a teacher inservice program which addresses teacher burnout. (SB)

In simulated decision-making situations in a community mental health center, three types of information were studied and rated: political; cost-benefit, and statistical. Only cost-benefit information was rated as significantly influencing administrators' decisions. (MH)

This article provides estimates of emotional and behavioral problems in children and their service utilization patterns. A model for the study of children's help-seeking pathways is offered and used to review the empirical support for variables associated with help-seeking, primarily help-seeking of formal mental health services. (DB)

Found that 12 percent of 392 victims of crime had contact with mental health professionals within few months postcrime. Mental health service use was most prevalent when depressive symptoms were present and crime involved violence. Among victims of violence, urban residence, high social support, internal locus of control, and prior crime…

Suggests nontraditional outreach techniques for use by human services professionals working with urban African-American adolescent fathers. Utilizes data from a cross-sectional study of 133 recent, first-time, unmarried adolescent fathers. (FMW)

Describes research exploring links between commitment laws and homelessness among mentally ill. Shows treatment differences in rural and metropolitan areas. Suggests narrow urban interpretation of laws leads to homelessness while rural overreaction leads to more unwarranted commitments. Identifies continuum-of-care needs. Suggests topics for…

Described are educational services, residential programs, and financial support for individuals with mental retardation in Belgium. The services are available from several government agencies and cover the entire life cycle of the individual. The situation of the mentally handicapped person with psychiatric problems is also briefly reviewed. (JDD)

A pilot system of individualized and rurally compatible community-based alternatives to residential and institutional treatment settings for seriously emotionally disturbed children was evaluated. The results indicate that this intensive, community-based, service-delivery system appears to improve children's behavioral and emotional functioning,…

Evaluated the educational, psychological, and medical literature that addressed emotional difficulties and behavioral problems in students. Determined that the lack of consensus on the terms used to describe the problem prevented accurate assessment of its prevalence. Concludes that low-cost, gate-keeping mechanisms are needed to facilitate early…

This paper examines school restructuring, the national education goals, and opportunities to improve the quality of education for adolescents with behavioral disorders. The paper favors adjustment as a goal along with achievement, a focus on broad outcomes of education, and links between mental health and education. (JDD)

Four mothers of children (ages 10-18) with learning disabilities were interviewed over a 1-year period. Their comments about services provided by educational and mental health professionals indicated high levels of frustration and dissatisfaction. Parental expectations and perspectives differed from those of educators. (Author/JDD)

A summary is provided of a large-scale needs assessment research project in Colorado that tested the validity of several statistical procedures or models for indirectly estimating the need for alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health services across geographic subregions using a Colorado Social Health Survey sample of 4,745 adults. (SLD)

This study reports on the problems that children of alcoholics (COAs) have related to campus authorities across the country. Explores the services offered at campuses and probes the extent to which COAs' more frequent problems raise critical research questions, both of which affect guiding services to this group. (RJM)