This article presents an integrated conceptual framework that contextualizes exposure to community violence and the interpersonal and interdependent processes of parent and child response to community violence. This model posits that parental distress, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, is a significant mediator of…

B. Yang and D. Lester (2007) have produced an innovative contribution to the relevant literature. Unlike previous studies, they incorporate estimates of cost savings from suicide. Their argument could be strengthened in 3 ways. First, they may have underestimated some of the cost savings by relying on inflated estimates of mental health usage by…

Background: School health education can effectively help reduce the prevalence of health-risk behaviors among students and have a positive influence on students' academic performance. This article describes the characteristics of school health education policies and programs in the United States at the state, district, school, and classroom…

Few questions in psychotherapy are of greater importance than the relationship among practitioners, researchers, and managed care. The present and future roles of psychotherapy are covered here. Despite ample evidence that psychotherapy does work, its effectiveness continues to be questioned. When psychotherapy research emerged some 50 years ago,…

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…

Nutrition and health are underlying influences to education performance. This report is a collection and analysis of data on nutrition and the rural poor in the United States. It presents an empirical assessment of critical nutritional and social-service problems experienced by the rural poor population. The first section of the report uses data…

The current mental health system suffers from fragmentation and inefficient utilization of all potential mental health resources, and paraprofessionals can be utilized as bridging agents between formal agencies and nonprofessional community caregivers. Arguments for conceptual reorganization of the mental health delivery system are presented,…

A positive self image is necessary for good mental health, yet societal influences have a negative impact on the self esteem of Hispanic people living in the United States. Hispanics are caught between the cultural poles of the values of the Hispanic community and the demand for acculturation into the dominant society. Adverse influences on…

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…

Data on alcohol use by college students is used to consider whether or not alcohol represents a problem for students and institutions of higher education. New ways of defining what constitutes an alcohol problem as well as ways of remedying and preventing the problem are discussed. (JN)

Data are presented in this paper to refute G. C. Wright's allegation that racism is an important factor in the provision of family planning services in the United States. (Author/EB)

Reviews the characteristics of preschool children with emotional and behavioral problems. Discusses existing models of service delivery and presents a collaborative model for services that integrates mental health treatment and education. Claims that combined mental health and education service models can lead to improved outcomes for at-risk…

Assesses coping attitudes, sources, and practices within and across a sample of Asian American college and graduate students (N=470) from four ethnic groups. Findings reveal that Asian Americans tended to endorse coping sources and practices that emphasized talking with familial and social relations rather than professionals such as counselors and…

Mental health services for minorities have remained biased and deficient. A discussion is included on some racial differences that affect assessment, diagnosis, and intervention of counseling services. A model is proposed that illustrates how cultural information can improve service delivery to African Americans. (JDM)

Describes application of participatory model for creating school-based mental health services in a developing country. Describes process of identifying individual and cultural factors relevant to mental health. Discusses importance of formative research and collaboration with stakeholders to ensure cultural specificity of interventions, and the…