Three brief papers review the literature and report on a study concerning the concept of functional impairment in light of regulations requiring both a psychiatric diagnosis and functional impairment for access to mental health care by children and adolescents with emotional disturbances. The first, very brief summary is: "The Origin, Meaning and…

This paper explains how the hardiness approach has had an impact on psychology and related fields. It states that in this process, the development of the hardiness approach to enhancing performance and health has been facilitated by continual cross-fertilization between theorizing, research, and practice. It first emerged from individual…

This study used archival data to examine adult charges and court outcomes for 82 individuals who had been treated in public mental health programs as adolescents. Subjects' clinical records from their adolescent day treatment (18 percent), residential (23 percent) or hospital program (58 percent) were reviewed for sociodemographics, clinical…

Specific strategies for incorporating information relevant to the effects of racism and ageism in our society into the curricula of social work programs are described. Participant observer roles, development of a resource book, information networks, health, mental health, and housing service areas are discussed. (MLW)

Students in an undergraduate course in abnormal psychology annually employ a cooperative active learning model to conduct a 4- to 6-day, values-oriented public policy forum (PPF) within the class itself on a general topic of concern to the field of mental health. A comprehensive and structured five-phase model for a PPF is detailed for course…

The past decade has witnessed a growing awareness of the prevalence and consequences of childhood sexual abuse. This paper presents findings from numerous studies which indicate that adult survivors of incest suffer from devastating personal and interpersonal difficulties. Recent studies on incest claim that some 20 percent of females and over 16…

This paper reviews issues in the provision of services to individuals who are mentally ill chemical abusers and addicted (MICAA). Introductory material defines this population and notes that these people are frequently ineligible for services aimed at either mental illness or chemical abuse alone. Service provisions within the psychiatric/mental…

This paper describes an experimental early intervention program called the Kindergarten and Elementary Intervention Program, which provides support for at-risk students, their parents, and teachers. It aims at the improvement of early school adjustment through approaches designed to accommodate a wide range of individual differences; improve and…

Children with serious emotional disorders receive inadequate and inappropriate services, rather than the comprehensive and coordinated system of care needed. To develop the knowledge needed to provide adequate and appropriate services, an alliance is needed among advocates, practitioners, and researchers. The Mental Health Services Program for…

An exploratory study examined the relationship between individual, family, and work variables and working mothers' health. The study also investigated the relationship between health management strategies and health. A cross-sectional survey design was used to gather data from 85 women who were married, employed 20 hours a week or more, and had…

Clients seeking psychological counseling, who initiate service of their own volition, do so to obtain help with a problem that they feel afflicts them. Counselors' perceptions of clients' presenting problems assist counselors in making predictions about behavior from which they construct treatment plans. Research has demonstrated that incongruity…

This paper describes the core curriculum, a new concept in continuing educaton by which relevant professional and clinical resources in an urban university can be made accessible to personnel in mental health service provider agencies in rural areas. An outline is presented of three curricula, including: (1) Financial Management; (2) Personnel…

Community psychology, as a profession, was born in 1965 and showed much promise. Unfortunately, it has been content to rest on its humanistic and systems-oriented perspective instead of using it as a foundation upon which to empirically build the necessary research, service, and training bases. Issues central to community psychology's evolving…

Los Angeles Valley College's mental health program provided services at no cost to enrolled students in the areas of crisis counseling, short- and long-term individual treatment, group therapy, consultation, and referral. The program was funded through the college and the associated student body at a cost of $7,500 per year. After several…

The delivery of services in a health maintenance organization (HMO) provides many opportunities for innovation. There is a growing awareness that many outpatient medical visits are related to psychological or social needs. Because of the economic incentive for HMO's to reduce inappropriate utilization, psychologists and psychotherapists will play…