The rural community mental health center tends to serve a large geographic area, have decentralized service delivery, require its professionals to function as generalists, and coordinate closely with other agencies. The last decade has seen an increasing strain placed on this pattern. As block grant and fee-for-service shifts resulting from the…

Project Re-ED, an educational program for emotionally disturbed children started at Vanderbilt University's George Peabody College, relies on educational, psychological, and ecological strategies to help troubled children, rather than traditional therapy. The program employs teacher-counselors, who have direct contact with children, and emphasizes…

Psychologists must help to create a national atmosphere that would facilitate progress on critical issues affecting children and families by monitoring the quality and outreach of child services and serving as advocates for children in the political arena. (Author/GC)

Describes a program of early mental health services intervention for younger elementary school students who demonstrate moderate to severe behavioral and/or emotional problems. (Author/DB)

Studies corporate in-house, human resource programs. Suggests these programs provide psychological assistance for problems considered to be normal episodes of human development. Proposes most of the developmental crises encountered by the corporate psychologist are associated with stress, midlife, or career development. (Author)

As legislation permits, the state and federal rehabilitation programs have become increasingly involved in rehabilitation of psychiatrically disabled persons. The National Institute of Mental Health and the Rehabilitation Services Administration cooperate to implement federal policy in a number of programs. (JAC)

Two evaluation procedures were evaluated in terms of their impact upon client attrition in a community mental health center. The behavioral analysis report, an innovative evaluation procedure, led to more treatment contacts than a traditional evaluation method. Possible effective elements within the behavioral analysis report are discussed.…

Discusses how expanding one's knowledge of depression can help in supporting Head Start families. Defines depression and lists symptoms of depression for adults and children of various ages, describes how parent's depression can affect child development and the family, and considers how Head Start and support agencies can support children and…

A survey of 54 British mental health professionals found respondents were reasonably knowledgeable about childhood sexual abuse. However, they were not very comfortable, competent, or supported in their work with these clients. Less experienced staff were more likely to feel supported. Those who received training and/or supervision felt more…

This article shares a personal perspective on school mental health through a discussion of the ways that schools currently address mental health, an example of advancing such work through a school district mental health unit, and reflection on some important lessons learned. The article's appendix lists five sample delivery mechanisms and formats.…

Recent research suggests that approximately one-third of homeless single adults suffer from severe mental illnesses. Discusses federal initiatives undertaken by the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) to encourage research and improve services for this subgroup. Describes the target population, NIMH research findings, and current mental…

Mental illness has a catastrophic impact on the family, subjecting its members to severe burden and life stress. In addition, families are often implicated in the origins of the illness by themselves, society, and mental health professionals. New alliances with clinicians are helping to support and destigmatize these families. (AF)

This paper focuses on recent legislation providing special services and provisions for mentally retarded persons in Sweden. The paper describes the legislation's goal in normalizing their lives, the types of residential placements available, their educational and vocational activities, and their mental health problems. (JDD)

Two reviewers present divergent points of view concerning a book that provides a comprehensive overview of the field of wilderness therapy. The first reviewer sees the book as valuable in bridging the gap between the mental health profession and outdoor experiential education, whereas the second reviewer suggests that the book gives ambiguous…

Identifies historical roots, public policy evolution, and legislative mandates relevant to schools meeting students' mental health needs and creating a school-family effort. To promote acceptance, the linkage between school systems and family systems theory is explained. Assessment and intervention strategies are described. (JBJ)