This review focuses on ways in which epidemiological research can inform mental health service development and clinical practice. Data from epidemiological studies can provide cross-sectional and secular estimates of the prevalence of psychopathology to support rational service development. Epidemiological surveys have difficulties in finding…

This study was designed to determine how effective an instructional program about cancer prevention might be in changing the knowledge and behavior of teenage females. (MM)

The Door is a youth center in New York, New York, that has the capacity to respond to a myriad of adolescent needs and problems. Over the past 15 years it has serviced over 100,000 teenagers, 53.4 percent of whom were Black, 23.1 percent Hispanic, 20 percent White, 3.5 percent Asian and other; they come from all over the New York City area.…

Data from a 10 percent sample of fifth-twelfth grade students indicate that in four predominantly rural counties of Kentucky, children are exposed to smoking before fifth grade and to drinking by seventh grade. The Health Education/Risk Reduction Grant Program was implemented over a 3-year period in the four county school systems in an attempt to…

A significant minority of teens and preteens suffer from anxiety disorders, depression and other mood disorders, behavior problems, and drug and alcohol addiction. Others have low self-esteem, difficulty coping, and feelings of insecurity. Given the harmful consequences of such disorders, policymakers and practitioners should be alert to teens…

This training manual is intended for use by school personnel, especially at the secondary school level, who must deal directly with suicidal behavior among students. Guidelines are presented for dealing with the reactions of a school system to an actual suicide and for dealing with the return to school of a student following a suicide attempt. An…

Describes the interpersonal cognitive problem solving (ICPS) skills approach for remediating peer relationship difficulties in children and adolescents. ICPS training studies are also reviewed. ICPS training seems effective as a remediation and primary prevention strategy with maladjusted youngsters and as a secondary prevention strategy with…

The articles in this journal issue provide an overview of ways in which health services are presently delivered to children, youth, and pregnant women; the means by which these services are financed; and some of the major deficiencies in meeting the health needs of these groups. In the first article, the Center for the Future of Children presents…

At the request of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Research and Education Foundation of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy organized a series of 12 panels that focused on family issues in adolescent treatment. In these workshops, panelists discussed the importance of involving the…

The development and implementation of an adolescent suicide prevention program at the Fairfax County Public Schools in 1982 is described. The major components of the program are described: (1) background; (2) organizing and planning; (3) resources; (4) workshops; (5) activities for students; and (6) evaluation and review. Emergency visits to…

These symposium papers describe various aspects of the Camp Logan, South Carolina, program, a therapeutic summer residential program for children, ages 8-14, who have significant behavior problems. The philosophy and advantages of the therapeutic camping model are discussed, e.g., structure during the summer, controlled though informal…

This manual is a programed learning tool for mental health professionals which teaches child and adolescent patient management skills to be used in a residential psychiatric care setting. The introduction to the paper describes the basic differences between adult and child psychiatry; behaviors that are abnormal for adults, such as having…

This paper presents principles that should be considered in planning and interpreting studies of outcomes of interventions with children receiving mental health services. Principles to consider when planning outcome studies include recognizing that "outcome" refers to multiple rather than single domains and choosing outcome domains that…

Oregon has implemented a successful school-based clinic demonstration program. It was the first state to fund directly school-based clinics that provide comprehensive health services, including birth control counseling, to high school students. The program is administered through the Health Division of the Oregon Department of Human Resources,…

As researchers continue to analyze the role of parenting both in the development of childhood overweight and in obesity prevention, studies of child nutrition and growth are detailing the ways in which parents affect their children's development of food- and activity-related behaviors. Ana Lindsay, Katarina Sussner, Juhee Kim, and Steven Gortmaker…