Noting that today's children face many dangers such as depression (in some cases leading to suicide), child abuse, eating disorders, accidents, alcohol and other drug abuse, and AIDS, this report, drawn from past issues of The Brown University Child Behavior and Development Letter, presents some of the most interesting and useful findings on these issues. The first chapter discusses how mental illness is the absence of mental health and focuses on positive treatments through positive behaviors and attitudes in order to promote mental health in children and young adolescents. The following chapters offer insights on several mental, emotional, and psychological problems and dangers, and may include discussions of tests, symptoms, side-effects, preventions, and other considerations. The chapter topics are: (1) depression and suicide, what is known and what to do about it; (2) child abuse, and the issues surrounding children testifying as witnesses at court trials; (3) recklessness, including treatments for dangerous behavior and early pregnancy; (4) AIDS, with information on how to deal with AIDS in children; (5) addiction, including a discussion of why teens abuse drugs and methods of preventing it; and (6) eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, and their connections with alcohol use. (AP)