Promoting Children's Mental Health: Reform Through Interdisciplinary and Community Partnerships

Abstract. Reforms that have been undertaken in the mental health system have significant implications for psychologists working in and with schools. This article introduces the special series in School Psychology Review on "Emerging models for promoting children's mental health: Linking systems for prevention and intervention." This article describes existing problems with the mental health system and priorities that have been identified as targets for change. Specific implications for psychologists and public health advocates whose work relates to the schools are discussed. Also, the purposes and structure of the special series are described. ********** Mental health is essential for healthy development, success in life, and the welfare of the community. Mental health problems often have their roots in childhood, but unfortunately, a high percentage of children do not receive adequate care, which can lead to more serious problems and the need for more expensive services in adolescence and adulthood. In particular, poor children, who are disproportionately represented among racial and ethnic minority groups, are especially susceptible to mental health difficulties and have the greatest challenges accessing appropriate care (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2001). Improving the mental health service delivery system in the United States has become a national priority. In April 2002, George W. Bush issued an executive order authorizing the establishment of the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health to identify priorities for reforming the mental health system (see www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/ 2002/04/20020429-2.html). The mission of this committee is to: (a) review the effectiveness of existing mental health services, including the role of government in service delivery, and specify unmet needs; (b) identify innovative and effective interventions that have the potential to be replicated widely; and (c) formulate policy options for government agencies and providers of mental health services. This commission was established shortly after the U.S. Surgeon General ouflined major problems with the existing mental health system in this country and identified priorities for reform (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1999, 2001). This article introduces the special series in School Psychology Review on "Emerging models for promoting children's mental health: Linking systems for prevention and intervention." The article summarizes the existing problems with the mental health system that have prompted the need for reform, and describes priorities that have been identified as targets for change. In addition, implications for psychologists working in and with schools are discussed, and the purpose and structure of the special series are described. Because this special series is intended for professionals representing the various sub-groups of child-oriented psychology, including school psychology, as well as public health advocates, the scope of the article is broad and inclusive with specific references to school psychology kept to a minimum. Further, although the school is recognized as a major center for promoting children's mental health, this series, and this article in particular, advances the position that the school is one of many community-based institutions that has the capacity to improve access to and quality of mental health care for children. As such, it is essential that psychologists working in and with schools recognize the potential that schools and other community agencies have to address the mental health needs of children and form partnerships to link these organizations. The Need for Reform A substantial proportion of children and adolescents in our country have mental health problems. The rate of mental health disorders among children and adolescents that is associated with at least mild levels of functional impairment has been estimated to be about 20%. …