Outlines the model used to develop and analyze the data needed for the mental health component of a health system plan required under Public Law 93-641. Includes a review of existing utilization patterns, an assessment of community levels of risk, and a forecast of the need for mental health services. (Author)

Explores the administrative dilemmas of the imbalance between mental health needs of the elderly and funding for mental health programs to serve them. Discusses possible approaches to the problem. (Author/BH)

The plight of the chronically mentally ill is discussed in this document. Chronic mental illness is defined as producing major impairments in functioning for an extended period of time. It is noted the chronically mentally ill are expected to negotiate a bureaucratic maze to receive help. The history of treatment of the mentally ill is traced from…

Describes recent professional developments having an increased impact on provision of social work mental health services to children: the emergence of practice guidelines from government and disciplines, the growth of empiral research evidence documenting efficacy of selected interventions, and the impact of managed care programs. Reviews…

Claims counseling psychologist faces many challenges when choosing to work in community mental health center setting. Claims as early professional, the obstacles of immense paperwork and shrinking dollars translating into increased caseload allow for rich although costly training/professional experience. Discusses pros and cons within the context…

Mental health services for children and adolescents from the states' perspective is the topic of this document. The introduction provides statistics on mental health service needs and utilization in this population, while highlighting underserved needs. The history of mental health services provision and funding is traced from isolated state…

Involuntary commitment laws, once seen as reform, now questioned as roadblocks to needed treatment, are discussed. The ineffectiveness of state's commitment laws, lack of community resources for treating the mentally ill, and homelessness among the mentally ill are discussed in the introduction. The history of the right of a state to commit…

Women have undergone a revolution in their self-perception and their traditional relationships to work, money, marriage, and family. These social changes have implications for every aspect of women's lives, including their mental health. Because of the special problems and conflicts confronting women today, data need to be analyzed on policies,…

Addresses issues facing a new professional in a community mental health center (CHMC). Recommends appropriate training in graduate school with extended practicum experiences along with extensive coursework in assessment and testing. Emphasizes awareness of issues involved in working with broad client base and need for resources at many different…

On the basis of activities of a federally funded national center for school mental health, review of literature on principles for best practice in child and adolescent mental health and school health, and consultation with national experts and family members, a set of 10 principles for best practice in school mental health was developed. A survey…

In light of reduced or eliminated federal funding, this report discusses mental health services provisions. The history of mental health service funding is presented. Funding responsibility is traced from communities, to states, to private health insurance, to federal assistance, to community provision with state and federal funds, and finally to…

The term "organization development" (OD) encompasses techniques developed to facilitate communication and collaborative problem solving in work groups. This discussion focuses on defining OD, describing its current use in mental health and human service organizations, and assessing potential payoffs and disadvantages of implementing OD programs in…

Describes three organizational models for staffing--rational, political, and standards--typically seen in mental health programs. Examines who is hired and why in terms of the characteristics of each model. Provides a summary of decision guidelines for staffing and suggestions for formulating a staffing strategy. (Author/ABB)

Argues that family therapy is failing to attend to the contexts in which family mental health services are provided. Presents a model for describing the institutional contexts of family mental health treatment in North America, and explores how these contexts influence family treatment, using 3 levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary care.…

The need for mental health services coordination is discussed in this report. It is noted that, without coordination, government units and service providers can operate independently and in competition with one another. The move to deinstitutionalization is discussed, including the lack of service coordination resulting from this move and the…