Despite the presence of significant psychiatric comorbidity among children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), little research exists on those who receive community-based mental health services. This project examined one year (2004) of data from the database maintained by 26 community mental health centers (CMHCs) in the Midwestern US state of…

Delivery of high-quality mental health services to clients in regional and remote areas in Australia presents significant challenges. Griffith Youth Forensic Service (GYFS) provides specialised, state-wide assessment and systemic treatment services for young people in Queensland who have committed sexual offences. In an effort to provide…

This paper discusses the results of a study that examined the mental health needs of 796 adolescents who interacted with four types of service sectors that typically function as gateways to mental health services (education, child welfare, juvenile justice, and primary health). Prevalence estimates collected from the youth themselves were compared…

Despite a decline in the incidence of child abuse over the last decade, victimization rates remain troubling. This study used a subset of data from the national evaluation of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program to investigate and compare the demographic, psychosocial, and service use…

Suicide is the cause of 11.7% of all deaths among youth and young adults aged 10 to 24 years in the United States (J. A. Grunbaum et al., 2004). Suicide is third leading cause of death for young Latinos/as aged 10 to 24 years (National Institute of Mental Health, 2001). Latino/a youth are at a greater risk of suicide behavior than other ethnic…

Several years ago, the people of Middletown made young children a priority by forming a coalition called Opportunity Knocks. A school-community partnership, Opportunity Knocks includes representatives from local health and social service agencies, early childhood educators, and families, all committed to improving the health and well-being of…

African American women hold the greatest need for mental health services among ethnic groups but receive effective counseling least often. This study investigated their preferences of counseling services. Results revealed that the type of service delivery might not be as salient to African American women as counselor-client racial similarity.

Our study tested an extension of the social resource model in an urban sample of 129 African American and 114 European American adolescents. Maternal involvement was positively related to the use of active and avoidant coping strategies among youth of both ethnicities. Additionally, use of active coping strategies was related to greater coping…

Evaluating school-based mental health services for children and youth with emotional disturbance (ED) has been a challenge for researchers. One particular challenge is the study design of using the student as the statistical unit of analysis, which in certain cases may lead to a violation of the "independence of error" assumption.…

Background: This article discusses the importance of screening students in schools for emotional/behavioral problems. Methods: Elements relevant to planning and implementing effective mental health screening in schools are considered. Screening in schools is linked to a broader national agenda to improve the mental health of children and…

This booklet presents information for those wishing to develop public education programs on breast cancer. The booklet's five chapters discuss: (1) public knowledge, attitudes, and practices; (2) program planning; (3) a framework for planning and implementing public information and education programs; (4) considerations for planning information…

Involuntary commitment laws, once seen as reform, now questioned as roadblocks to needed treatment, are discussed. The ineffectiveness of state's commitment laws, lack of community resources for treating the mentally ill, and homelessness among the mentally ill are discussed in the introduction. The history of the right of a state to commit…

Text of a Congressional hearing examining present and future policies on providing home health care for the aged is presented in this document. In his opening remarks, Representative Biaggi discusses the unhealthy and unacceptable reliance on institutional care and the disproportionate amount of resources Medicare and Medicaid spend on nursing…

Text of a Congressional hearing examining the plight of aging Americans, still at financial risk despite the help of Medicare and Medicaid, is presented in this document. Testimony or prepared statements are delivered by 17 Congressmen including Representatives Roybal, Jeffords, Renaldo, Hammerschmidt, Pepper, McCain, Manton, Fawell, Robinson,…

This document presents witnesses' testimonies and prepared statements from the Congressional hearing called to examine children's mental health issues, including the prevalence of mental illness among children, barriers to effective treatment, and responses that are effective in helping children and families. Witnesses providing testimony include:…