This report of a panel discussion focuses on the design, rationale, and evaluation of the Adolescent Crisis Unit for Treatment and Evaluation (ACUTE), a program of crisis intervention for young adolescents. An overview of the structure of ACUTE's clinical program describes the efficiency of the program in seeing referrals at the time of crisis,…

Accountability has become a concern for public mental health programs, including the Hawaii State Mental Health Division which relies on the Multi-State Information System (MSIS) for program planning and evaluation. Accuracy in reporting and agreement in clinical judgment on the MSIS has been assumed but never tested until an analogue study was…

THIS REPORT IS A DISCUSSION OF A STRATEGY DESIGNED TO MEET THE MANPOWER AND PROGRAMMATIC CRISES THAT FACE THE NEW COMMUNITY ACTION AND COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS. IT IS A SYSTEMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE NEED FOR AND THE USE OF INDIGENOUS NONPROFESSIONALS AS "BRIDGEMEN" BETWEEN THE PROFESSIONAL WORKER AND LOW INCOME PEOPLE. THE UNIQUE…

The Life Enhancement Counseling Model was developed specifically for the treatment of the problems of meaninglessness and purposelessness among depressed Cuban elders. The model is based on psychosocial development and ecological theoretical orientations. A life review approach is used to help the depressed individuals complete unfinished business…

The Foster Parent Training Project builds on the desire of foster parents to promote the physical, mental and emotional growth of children in their care. Parents are taught to assist in reducing the impact on the children of separation. Classes deal with emotional development, sexual development, lying, emotional disturbance, the issues at each…

This paper focuses on the problems of discrimination and disadvantagement faced by Asian and Pacific Americans. It is argued that discrimination and institutional racism have a negative effect on the mental health of this minority group. Recommendations made by a subpanel to the President's Commission on Mental Health to deal with these problems…

A pilot study exploring the use of mental health consultants to teachers of socially and emotionally maladjusted pupils in regular classes was conducted to (1) help teachers cope with these children and facilitate successful learning experiences for them, (2) enable teachers to be more effective with all children, (3) understand effects of…

Based on a North Carolina feasibility study (1967-73) which focused on development of a pattern for providing comprehensive mental health services to rural people, this guide deals with measuring and monitoring stress in the community. Emphasizing the "proactive" efforts developed in a stress model for Vance and Franklin counties, this…

In devising the mental health plan for Chicanos, the social, economic, and political forces that adversely affect their emotional well-being must be considered. While defining mental health needs and proposing ways to meet those needs, the cultural background of the Chicano people must seriously be considered. The plan should stress the importance…

Comprehensive mental health programs should be designed on the basis of identified mental health needs and locally established priorities so that the resulting combination of services is geared to the specific and unique requirements of the catchment area. In addition to being comprehensive, local programs should be physically accessible, ensure…

The National Association of Psychiatric Technology (NAPT), a non-profit organization, is the outgrowth of local and state organizations of psychiatric attendants, aides, and technicians who had banded together to improve their knowledge and skills and to demonstrate their competence to assume greater responsibilities in the care and treatment of…

This consultants' paper explores the problems and prospects of the juvenile court. Sections cover: (1) "The Changing Juvenile Court," the history of the juvenile court and the court in theory and in practice, (2) "Changes in the Jurisdiction of Juvenile Courts" including subject matter jurisdiction and age limitations, (3) "Legal Services in the…

This book suggests the collaboration of community mental health centers with school systems since both are concerned with the healthy development of children's emotional lives and with learning. While school collaboration provides maximum opportunity for the center to fulfill more of its obligations to children with the most efficient use of…

This report evaluates the success of a student project at a community mental health center both in terms of the reasons for client attrition and in terms of the difficulties of doing field research. The administration of the project was conducted by a class of 17 undergraduate psychology students. The subjects qualifying as dropouts were people…

The traditional service programs are not doing the job of providing the comprehensive services needed for youth. Using the following premises as a foundation, an alternative model of providing services for youth is possible: (1) A person does not have to go to a Mental Health Clinic in order to get service. Services can be provided in a local…