Implications of the Colorado Social Health Survey for indirect needs assessment in mental health planning and administration are discussed. The survey model parameters' generalizability to other areas of the nation should be investigated, as well as improved ways of linking specific populations to needs, preferences, and outcome dimensions. (SLD)

This paper describes experiences of a psychiatrist working with adults who have intellectual disability along with challenging behaviors and/or psychiatric illness, focusing on harm minimization, relationships with staff, and collection of behavioral data. Three case histories illustrate differences between institutional and office practice and…

The family associate is a parent without professional mental health training who acts as a system guide to low-income families whose children have been referred to mental health services. Family associates in three counties in Oregon provide emotional support and information about mental health services and community resources and link them to…

Serious limitations exist in the delivery of mental health services to refugees throughout the resettlement process: fragmentation, instability, language barriers, culturally inappropriate treatment methods, and severe staff shortages. Suggested improvements for refugee mental health services emphasize outreach, prevention, treatment approaches,…

The Head Start community has recognized that the mental health program has been a weak spot in the program's comprehensive services strategy. A brief telephone survey of 101 programs identified the services most desired and resulted in recommendations for strengthening this aspect and making the program a laboratory for innovative practices. (SLD)

Using epidemiologic survey data of elderly residents in six public housing developments, assesses the need for mental health care. Found that 37% of the predominantly African American sample needed mental health services. Males, older residents, those with no Medicare insurance, and those with daily living impairments were most at risk. (RJM)

Analysis of responses of 254 mental health workers in Kentucky to a questionnaire concerning therapeutic treatment in cases of physical child abuse found that the family was usually seen as the primary client, with the goal being provision of a safe environment for the child. Abused children received only 7 of the 23 sessions generally provided in…

An intervention designed to address barriers to access to children's mental health services for low-income families was implemented in three Oregon counties. Paraprofessionals provided families with information, emotional support, and tangible assistance. Families in the intervention group (n=96) were significantly more likely to initiate…

Client-case manager matches (n=75) from the outpatient services of an urban mental health department were selected to examine case managers' perceived racial sensitivity and its effect on African American clients. Findings demonstrated that case managers were more likely to be perceived as sensitive if they were a minority, female, and a degreed…

Evaluation of demographic, behavioral, and mental health service utilization data on 662 children in foster care found that 56% had received mental health services. Children who experienced "active" types of maltreatment (such as sexual abuse) were more likely to receive mental health services even when severity of mental health problems…

During the implementation of a cross-agency, co-located service delivery system, the number of youths eligible for public mental health services in Santa Barbara County increased from 956 to 1,826 and the number of youths eligible for special education services for students with emotional/behavioral disorders increased from 101 to 204. (Contains…

This article reports factors associated with good versus poor outcomes for 173 young adults referred for mental health services. Participants with good outcomes differed in quality and stability of their living situations, full-time versus part-time employment, peer relationships, goal orientation, successful experiences, stressful experiences,…

This article describes the history of New York's efforts to create partnerships with families with children with emotional disturbances, articulates the stages of parent involvement in policymaking, and summarizes lessons learned and recommendations for effective and enduring families as policy allies. A case study is presented. (Contains…

Assesses coping attitudes, sources, and practices within and across a sample of Asian American college and graduate students (N=470) from four ethnic groups. Findings reveal that Asian Americans tended to endorse coping sources and practices that emphasized talking with familial and social relations rather than professionals such as counselors and…

Mental health services for minorities have remained biased and deficient. A discussion is included on some racial differences that affect assessment, diagnosis, and intervention of counseling services. A model is proposed that illustrates how cultural information can improve service delivery to African Americans. (JDM)