As the number of children engaging in problem behaviors grows, teachers increasingly report feeling unprepared to effectively meet students' mental health needs. Social-emotional learning (SEL) should be a prominent goal of school programs because social competence prevents school failure. This commentary reviews the challenges associated with…

In schools, the term "consultation" has multiple meanings. Often it is used to describe a quick, informal process of advice giving between teachers and/or school specialists. As a formal discipline, School-Based Consultation (SBC) is an indirect service delivery model that involves two or more parties working together to benefit students. Most…

The author presents a commentary on a special issue of the "Journal of College Counseling". The articles included in the issue describe the mental health needs and counseling center utilization patterns of the diverse population of college students. The establishment of the Center for Collegiate Mental Health has created the opportunity to study…

A public health crisis is looming in US schools. Millions of children do not receive mental health services, are poorly bonded to supportive educational communities, and fail to develop important social and emotional competencies. Considering these problems, many of which relate to students' school functioning, efforts are needed to support…

Currently, more than two thirds of school-aged children with mental health needs do not receive treatment. By exploring the numerous barriers that limit children's access to mental health care, the authors argue that school psychologists have a key role to play in supporting comprehensive mental health services for children. This article provides…

Comments on three articles (see records EJ733583, EJ733584, and EJ733585) on the status of children's mental health services in the United States, which appeared in the September 2005 issue of the "American Psychologist." The current authors suggest that, although this series of articles provides important information, the articles fall…

This paper discusses the adjustment and acculturation problems of Asian Pacific American women and how these problems relate to their health concerns. Information presented in the article is based on the observations of health service providers to the Asian community. The paper suggests that the diversity of Asian Americans (age, ethnic group, and…

Notes that low Medicare reimbursement rates are already causing some mental health professionals to turn away elderly patients. Considers baby boomer cohort who, unlike elders today, have high rates of psychiatric illness and are more likely to seek mental health services. Projects increasing gap over next 25 years between need and availability of…

Recommendations made by a Special Subpanel on Mental Health of Asian and Pacific Americans of the President's Commission on Mental Health are discussed in this paper. The subpanel determined that racism is the most pervasive mental health problem confronting Asian and Pacific Americans. The nine recommendations made by the subpanel focus on social…

Presents a response to "School Psychologists as Health-Care Providers in the 21st Century: Conceptual Framework, Professional Identity, and Professional Practice" (this issue). The author supports the call for school psychologists to assume leadership in facilitating the necessary coordination across systems for such a role change to…

Temple University psychologist Barry Harris notes that today the major causes of death and chronic illness in the United States are stress-related. He asserts that traditional medical care, focused on disease, is inadequate and should be replaced by a strategy emphasizing healthy living and stress management. (Author/SJL)

The issue of the delivery of mental health services to Hispanic Americans is discussed in this report to the President's Commission on Mental Health. Hispanics, who will be the largest minority group in the United States within the next 25 years, do not make use of sufficient existing health services. They have a need for alternative services…

Presents a response to "School Psychologists as Health-Care Providers in the 21st Century: Conceptual Framework, Professional Identity, and Professional Practice" (this issue). The author highlights some of the reforms required of the profession to respond to these challenges and describes implications for the training of practitioners.…

Lack of data on mental health status of Blacks precludes effective prevention programing. Any prevention program must reflect the social, psychological, and physical milieu of the individual, but ideological biases toward preventive health often deny the importance of political factors that create an environment in the Black community that is…

Asserts that providing all students with an equal opportunity to succeed in school requires a comprehensive, multifaceted approach that addresses barriers to learning and teaching. Specifically addresses: (1) barriers to learning, development, and teaching; (2) moving to a three-component model for school reform; (3) an enabling component…