Notes that, although preventive counseling has been purported to be defining characteristic of mental health counseling throughout its history, literature review suggests that prevention rarely has been emphasized in training process or mental health counseling practice. Suggests some explanations and remedies for disparity between preventive…

Describes the design, implementation, and evaluation of a training program in the primary prevention of childhood mental disorders for caregivers, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. Cites the program's positive impact, as measured by increases in participants' knowledge and skills. (Author/MJL)

Presents integrated paradigm for wellness and prevention over the life span for purpose of theory building, research, clinical application, education, advocacy, and consciousness raising. Model described includes 11 characteristics desirable for optimal health and functioning. Notes characteristics are expressed through five life tasks of…

Examines federal activities to promote mental health and prevent mental illness; reviews types and targets of intervention programs; examines the adequacy of the current knowledge base for prevention programs; and presents basic principles underlying current prevention/promotion activities of the National Institute of Mental Health. (Author/MJL)

Defines primary prevention, end-state, and stressful life variable models to guide the design of primary prevention activities. Objectives of primary prevention include reducing the incidence of emotional distress in a designated population and promoting emotional health. Assessment strategies and program components are also discussed. (JAC)

Reviews the history of primary prevention in public and mental health, with special focus on the prevention of emotional problems in children. Emphasizes the need to approach prevention efforts from understanding causes of mental illness in the context of general social conditions, rather than from an individual perspective. (Author/MJL)

Using key informant interviews and detailed crisis narratives, points to the importance of community and family supports in enhancing access to quality crisis services, and emphasizes the advantages of community/institution collaboration in the problem solving process. (Author/GC)

Presents community development as a strategy for achieving goals of prevention in small communities in Appalachia. Emphasizes the organization of social structures and collective efforts in problem and enhancing levels of physical and mental health in these vulnerable communities. (Author)

This paper describes a conceptual model of staff burnout in terms of independent, intervening and dependent variables. Staff burnout is defined, symptoms are presented, and the epidemiological approach to burnout is descussed. Components of the proposed model, which groups determinants of mental health into three domains, consist of: (1)…

Primary prevention focuses on lowering incidences of emotional problems and promoting positive mental health where no special difficulty is indicated. A need exists for counselors to develop the special skills to carry out primary prevention strategies. Skills include educational skills, program development skills, and change agent skills.…

The introduction to this Technical Committee Report reviews the health status of the older population and examines major disease entities where health maintenance and promotion can play a role. Part One, "Health Maintenance and Health Promotion Services," discusses the physical and social environments, indicators of change in physical…

This paper presents the Primary Prevention Model for Counselors, a model which can be used in counseling interventions and in training programs in counseling psychology. The model is based on three dimensions of critical importance to primary prevention--prevention type, method, and ecological focus. Units within each dimension are described as…

Deafness often leads to unnecessary communication deficits which produce developmental deviations in the psychological development of children. These deviations mesh with environmental frustrations and with a continuing lack of reciprocity in human relationships to produce psychopathological symptoms. The primary intervention in work with deaf…

Examines suicide statistics among Blacks, particularly males. Holds that high suicide rates for Black males are related to low self-image, resulting from various socioeconomic barriers. Recommends community prevention programs and community support systems as suicide deterrents. (DA)

This report contains highlights from a seminar on integrated approaches to youths' health problems. Comments by these panelists are summarized: Renee Jenkins, Director of Adolescent Medicine, Howard University Hospital, and President of the Society for Adolescent Medicine; Vivian L. Smith, Deputy Director, Office for Substance Abuse Prevention…