This is the first comprehensive clinical introduction to using a time-limited mentalizing approach for working with children, ages 5 to 12, who experience emotional and behavioral problems, including anxiety, depression, and relational difficulties. Mentalization-based treatment (MBT) promotes a child's ability to make sense of their own mind, and…

Steven R. Forness is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His research has primarily focused on early detection and eligibility of children with psychiatric disorders for special education services in public schools. As part of an ongoing oral history…

This paper critically considers the growing interest in the use of Cognitive Behaviour Therapies to support children and young people presenting with a wide range of social-emotional difficulties. This focus has emerged since the prevalence of such difficulties in children and young people has increased over the past four decades, and the…

The Scottish Needs Assessment Programme (SNAP) was established in 2000 to advise the Scottish Government on the emotional health of the country's children and young people. The second phase, conducted in 2002-2003, involved surveying professionals who provide specialist mental health services to children and young people, and also those who work…

This document presents witnesses' testimonies and prepared statements from the Congressional hearing called to examine children's mental health issues, including the prevalence of mental illness among children, barriers to effective treatment, and responses that are effective in helping children and families. Witnesses providing testimony include:…

Background: This article discusses the importance of screening students in schools for emotional/behavioral problems. Methods: Elements relevant to planning and implementing effective mental health screening in schools are considered. Screening in schools is linked to a broader national agenda to improve the mental health of children and…

A study of 1,015 children with behavior problems investigated the impact of a child's emotional and behavioral problems on the family. Families of youth who first used mental health services when they were ages 10-15 showed significantly higher rates and levels of family impact than families of youth who did not enter services. (Author/CR)

This Rhode Island KIDS COUNT issue brief, one of a series presenting an in-depth look at issues affecting the health, safety, education, and economic well-being of children, focuses on children's mental health services in the state. The brief reports that mental health services for children in Rhode Island are fragmented, with inadequate capacity…

This article presents a description of the Child and Adolescent Services Assessment, a self- and parent-report instrument designed to assess use of mental health services by children, ages 8 to 18. The article provides information on interviewer training, coding of data, and psychometric data on clinical samples, and presents a case study.…

This project consists of three interrelated streams which aim to: (1) develop and maintain a national network of mental health service providers, and an easily accessible clearinghouse of relevant information, to facilitate the development of innovative early intervention services across Australia; (2) address challenges in reorienting service…

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…

An intervention designed to address barriers to access to children's mental health services for low-income families was implemented in three Oregon counties. Paraprofessionals provided families with information, emotional support, and tangible assistance. Families in the intervention group (n=96) were significantly more likely to initiate…

This paper examines expectations and stresses placed on sign language interpreters in mental health settings within a framework of demand and control theory. Translations of some specific psychological screening instruments and issues related to the Code of Ethics of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf are considered relative to…

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)

This article provides estimates of emotional and behavioral problems in children and their service utilization patterns. A model for the study of children's help-seeking pathways is offered and used to review the empirical support for variables associated with help-seeking, primarily help-seeking of formal mental health services. (DB)