Patients (N=3,006) admitted to a psychiatric in-patient service because of a suicidal state were contacted to determine if post-discharge plans were followed. Half of those who refused treatment were contacted by telephone or letter on a set schedule. Evidence is that a high-risk population for suicide can be identified. (Author)

"Mental health services in the USSR are provided primarily by the medical profession through state mental hospitals and psychiatric sections in general hospitals and clinics. Drug therapy is the main treatment method used there, but psychotherapy is beginning to make some inroads. Family therapy settings are the newest additions to preventive…

This special issue focuses on several methodological issues in the evaluation of the largest mental health and substance abuse project for children and adolescents conducted at a single site, the U.S. Army's Fort Bragg Child and Adolescent Mental Health Demonstration program. The introduction and seven articles describe this program and the…

Examined how services are used by children with severe learning disabilities living at home in London, England, the associated total and component costs, and parents' perceptions of their children's needs for health care. Found some evidence that costs were associated with greater children's needs as well as evidence for under-provision of formal…

Describes an expanded school mental health framework and its goal of improving the mental health status of children and adolescents through collaboration. Addresses current challenges including building advocacy, improving funding, increasing capacity, enhancing quality, and using and expanding the evidence base for mental health in schools. (SD)

Recent cutbacks in Indian Health Service (IHS) funding, particularly for urban programs, generated political mobilization and intergroup conflict among several Indian groups with IHS-funded programs. A Montana survey revealed gross underestimation of urban Indian population and high levels of unmet needs for health care services. Contains 27…

Two evaluation studies using qualitative methods are described to illustrate the appropriateness of such methods for certain research questions. Ways to enhance reliability and validity are also discussed in the descriptions of the evaluations of 16 emergency medical services and 13 local health departments. (SLD)

In the evaluation of a treatment program for veterans of the Lebanon War suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, repeated administration of self-report instruments revealed no improvement in symptoms and social functioning. These findings conflicted with the positive evaluations of the program by participants (N=41) and therapists. (SLD)

Applies assumed similarity and reward-cost theories to problem of low rates of utilization of mental health and social service programs by rural Alaska Native populations. Recommends strategies of service delivery to increase utilization of needed services. Recommendations may be applicable to other rural areas. (Author/TES)

Describes the Kindergarten Intervention Program in Los Angeles, a model for recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers to help kindergarten students with special needs. Provides specific steps for initiating an early intervention mental health program using trained volunteers. (TE)

Examines the adoption of programing innovations at 118 rural mental health centers in 12 Midwestern grainbelt states. Concludes that directors' failure to innovate in response to the 1980s' rural crisis was due to scarce resources and a mentality giving precedence to existing programs, regardless of need. Contains 40 references. (SV)

An overview of research and programs aimed at primary prevention of adolescent suicide is presented. In addition to person-centered programs, institutionally oriented prevention efforts involving policy formation at the district, community, and state levels are outlined. Model programs and resources are cited. (SLD)

Suggestions for enhancing use of evaluation studies (i.e., state-level mental health programs) are presented. Steps for maximizing evaluation utilization include marketing, planning, and conducting the evaluation; developing/focusing policy questions; translating findings; and making people pay attention to the results. These are processes for…

Provides a selective review of relevant research on developmental psychopathology and its relevance for group care programming; a summary overview of major themes in residential care outcome research; and suggestions for future research on group care with implications for direct practice, service organization, and policy. (TJQ)

This study examined the congruence of child protection agencies' legal positions, court clinic recommendations, and judicial dispositions in 59 contested child maltreatment cases. Placement recommendations/decisions were highly correlated; where there was disagreement between successive evaluations, it was in the direction of enhancing family…