Discusses the use of public television as a means of providing mental health outreach services for the community. Describes a weekly program, "The Black Family," broadcast in Jacksonville, Florida, which focused on family relationships, social issues, and mental and physical health, using a call-in format that allowed viewer participation. (JAC)

The United States Commissioner on Aging describes challenges posed by the increasing size of the older adult population, outlines gaps in knowledge regarding aging and the elderly, and calls for greater collaboration between the elderly and existing mental health networks. (AOS)

Identifies factors mental health executives (N=131) see as important barriers to their planning efforts. These executives can best be aided in their planning by actions which will clarify planning domains, insure that appropriate power and authority is vested in the executive, and emphasize planning efforts in innovative areas. (Author/JAC)

The results of a short-term psychotherapy quality assessment study, conducted at a university mental health service, are described. The outcome indicates that high-quality brief psychotherapy can be provided by university counseling services. (JN)

Compared attitudes and help-seeking strategies of older adults (N=39) with younger age groups in regard to using mental health services and other help sources. Results indicated that older participants were less knowledgeable about the availability of mental health services and were less likely to utilize them. (RC)

Advantages and disadvantages to various methods of assuring quality and accountability in community mental health centers are discussed. Examples are external structure review, peer monitoring, and site visitation. (LAB)

Integrated schools, family income, and regional differences were not a factor in achievements of Black professionals. Most were educated by parents only and service rather than money was the basis of career choice. Those in helping professions should consider successful Blacks in developing a mental health model. (JAC)

Blacks are fighting a losing battle for control of mental health facilities in their neighborhoods. The danger is that White mental health professionals will interpret environmentally caused distress as psychological disorder and prescribe treatments which destroy the Black personality. (Author/GC)

Examines strengths and weaknesses of several needs assessment techniques currently in use and concludes that exclusive use of any single technique will likely provide a biased or inaccurate assessment of community mental health needs. There is a critical need to empirically investigate the reliability and validity of these needs assessment…

The author's research indicates that associate degree training programs have provided and will continue to provide rich resources for manpower in the mental health service delivery system. (Author)

College student personnel and mental health workers need psychological education programs whose effectiveness can be empirically verified. This report describes such a program in sufficient detail to give professionals a clear model for study and application to their particular populations. Shostrom's Personal Orientation Inventory was used to…

The consultative effort to assist in the development of mental health services in Crystal City, Texas is described. Issues of political involvement, cultural and language issues, community dynamics, staffing, staff development, and training of psychology interns are discussed in light of the inadequacy of certain aspects of traditional…

A study tested the efficacy of a multicomponent parent training curriculum with caregivers of children receiving mental health services (n=250). The parent group intervention was found to affect significantly two factors critical to increasing caregiver empowerment, knowledge of the mental health services system, and mental health services…

Describes common characteristics of two innovative models of student mental-health consultation programs: One, organized by two Harvard Medical School psychiatrists, operates in two Boston-area inner-city charter schools; the other, Responsive Advocacy for Life and Learning (RALLY), launched by a Harvard Medical School developmental psychologist,…

Mental health services in New York City help first-time foster care children acquire ego skills needed for adjustment to foster care. Small-group, focused sessions help children deal with separation, abuse, neglect, and placement. Small-group sessions for foster parent participation are also arranged. Results of this approach have been positive.…