Beginning in the fall of 1999, all programs of the Child and Youth Services Administration of the District of Columbia Commission on Mental Health Services were ordered to implement a performance improvement plan. This report looks at how successful one clinic was in improving performance in one year. The objectives were to: (1) increase the…

In many instances, actual or threatened traumatic events trigger strong reactions for those individuals experiencing them, witnessing them, or learning about a loved one or friend who experienced an unexpected trauma. In addition, those who help traumatized persons can sometimes develop secondary traumatization. This workshop presenter constructed…

Americans have been exposed to increased levels of mass violence during the past decade. School violence, shootings in the workplace, and terrorist acts both here and abroad--all have affected individuals, families, communities, and our country. This report addresses the urgent need to evaluate the various psychological interventions that are…

The economic solvency of Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) is a problem that needs immediate attention. In order to study the shift in funding sources for the 40 Community Services Boards (CSBs) which administer the 114 CMHCs in Virginia, the funding sources of CMHCs, and the fee collections of the CSBs, were examined. Data revealed that…

Preparation for consultation on the part of both the consultant and the organization can have a direct effect on the outcome of consultation. While the importance of preparation for consultation has been acknowledged, most of the literature deals with preparation on the part of the consultant, rather than the organization. This document describes…

A select group of papers from the Community Clinical Psychology project conferences and task forces is presented in this document. The articles address questions and issues pertaining to the improvement of mental health and human services delivered by the community to black clients. The first paper overviews the mental health system as it relates…

In view of recent studies of media use in mental hospitals showing that television is the predominant mass medium and one with great potential for therapy, a study was conducted to determine the patterns of television viewing in this environment. A total of 1,204 observations were made in five lounges on two wards of a mental hospital.…

Current ethical issues of clinical competence and confidentiality are explored in relation to changes in the college population and its relationship to the community. Case examples are presented. (JN)

A number of studies have examined variables that discriminate individuals who drop out of mental health programs. However, relatively little attention has been focused on determining characteristics of individuals who fail to follow through after their initial contact with mental health services. This study was designed to provide a profile of…

This paper outlines selected differences between the United States and Latin America health care systems as they relate to primary mental health care. It notes that historically both the United States and Latin America have relied on custodial psychiatric hospitals. The alternative of community care for psychiatric patients is described as it is…

To determine what factors either alone or together interact to create ethnic variations in mental health care use in the State of Hawaii, a study interviewed subjects who were randomly selected from the higher income area of Diamond Head/Kahala and the lower income area of Kalihi/Palama. Ethnic groups studied included Caucasian, Japanese, Chinese,…

In June 1970, the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education Conference on Mexican American Mental Health Issues was held at Goleta, California Primary goal of the conference was to promote learning, not specific action, program funding, or legislation. Planned by Chicanos, the 3-day conference was aimed at bringing together Chicanos from…

As today's society places more and more emphasis on preventive mental health, the use of counselors and psychologists as consultants on the radio is a viable alternative form of public education. The radio can be used to educate and inform the public about psychological issues. In 1982, a local radio station in Edmonton, Alberta aired the first…

The goals of this presentation were to help mental health professionals learn more about intervening in aviation disasters, learn about the uniqueness of disaster mental health, and share the presenter's mental health disaster experiences as they relate to aviation disasters. Survivors' emotional phases during the disaster recovery process are…

This paper outlines a qualitative research tool designed to explore personal identity formation as described by Erik Erikson and offers self-reflective and anonymous evaluative comments made by college students after completing this task. Subjects compiled a list of 200 myths, customs, fables, rituals, and beliefs from their family of origin and…