An article by Ellie Ashford condensed from School Board News (Jun 28, 2005) is presented in this article. Proponents of mental health screening point to stories to illustrate the benefits of screening seemingly healthy teenagers. Yet, opposition to mental health screening is growing, with one school health expert calling it "as controversial…

In response to the serious crisis in mental health care for children in the United States, this article proposes as a priority for psychology a comprehensive approach that treats mental health as a primary issue in child health and welfare. Consistent with the principles of a system of care and applying epidemiological, risk-development, and…

For decades, empirically tested youth interventions have prevented dysfunction by addressing risk and ameliorated dysfunction through treatment. The authors propose linking prevention and treatment within an integrated model. The model suggests a research agenda: Identify effective programs for a broadened array of problems and disorders, examine…

This brief information sheet summarizes the types of social-emotional problems common among gifted children and suggests preventive actions schools can take. A table lists problems associated with characteristic strengths of gifted children. Specific problems briefly addressed include: uneven development, peer relations, excessive self-criticism,…

This paper presents an overview of the evolution of the Yale University Child Study Center's School Development Program (SDP) since its implementation in New Haven, Connecticut in 1968. The needs of inner city school children are discussed, and results of parent and staff surveys are presented. A critique of alternative school improvement…

The Mental Health Prevention/Intervention Project (MHP/IP) was designed to provide and assess comprehensive and effective mental health services to Head Start children, parents, families, and staff. Sponsored by the Latin American Civic Association (LACA) in Los Angeles, the 14-month intervention was implemented and assessed on three levels: (1)…

This paper describes the program and research related to the "Making It" series of 18 multi-media divorce workshops co-sponsored by a community mental health center (CMHC) and a chapter of Parents without Partners (PWP). An introductory section discusses the rationale for larger scale community intervention and epidemiological research. The…

This paper reports the progress of an ongoing clinical research project on prevention services for at risk infants of mentally ill mothers. This project extends the prevention focus of early education programs into the mental health field. Previous research findings indicate that maximum preventive effects are achieved when programs (a) begin…

A program aimed at promoting mental health in elementary school-age children is described in this report. The project's short-term goal is to help children successfully cope with social and emotional problems. One long-term goal is to prevent mental health problems which require long and costly remediation; another is to enhance the lives of…

This is a description of a mental health project in which the goal of assisting the general public in managing stability-threatening situations is pursued by starting outside the community mental health center, in a rural high school. Included are: (1) a description of students; (2) a statement of goals that directed the teaching effort; (3) the…

Suicide and attempted suicide are problems which continue to occupy the world-wide attention of both health service administrators and research workers. National statistics of completed suicides have shown an increase in rates among people aged 15-24 years and even among children below the age of 15. Conference discussions were based on working…

The history, rationale and methodology of the preretirement preparation program in the format of a group educational experience is traced from its origin 30 years ago by the gerontologist W. Hunter to the present. The program is described and discussed in detail, in terms of content and theoretical dynamics. As retirement is often a psycho-social…

The report contains summaries of 176 pilot projects demonstrating new and innovative approaches for training mental health personnel. Projects were conducted under grants awarded by the Experimental and Special Training Branch of the Division of Manpower and Training Programs, National Institute of Mental Health. The projects have been developed…

Introduces five papers in special issue on prevention in rural mental health services. Emphasizes importance of giving attention to characteristics of the rural population and to the scarcity of information about prevention applied to special conditions of rural settings. (LFL)

Reviews literature on adjustment problems experienced by immigrant children and the effectiveness of intervention program developed to aid them. Considers a new conceptualization of the immigration process among children, their particular needs, and how these might best be met by preventive mental health interventions. (KH)