Designed to assist Minnesota educators and mental health professionals in developing comprehensive mental health services for children, this report summarizes research findings and issues in the area of primary and secondary prevention of emotional disturbances in children. It begins by reviewing factors found to contribute to emotional disturbances, including organic factors, stress, and exploitation, and factors found to promote mental health, such as coping skills, self-esteem, and social support. The number of children in Minnesota with an emotional disturbance is discussed, and the following risk factors for emotional disturbance are listed: (1) major physical illness; (2) premature birth; (3) low birth weight; (4) difficult temperament; (5) children who have experienced physical or sexual abuse or neglect; (6) parental illnesses such as schizophrenia, chemical dependence, or mood disorders; (7) insecure attachment to the family; (8) teenage parenthood; (9) homelessness; (10) lack of social support; (11) poverty; and (12) foster care placement. Symptoms of emotional disturbances that indicate the need for some professional evaluation are provided for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and kindergartners, elementary and middle school children, and junior high and high school age adolescents. (Contains 28 references.) (CR)