NCJ Number
211476
Date Published
March 2005
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This paper summarizes presentations at a forum sponsored by the National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation (May 13, 2004) for the purpose of having participants share information on new State and Federal policies on preventing and treating children's mental health disorders.
Abstract
A representative of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which is working with several Federal partners to develop a Federal action plan for mental health services, identified four key areas of focus as follows: transforming the mental health system; implementing the strategic prevention framework; building substance abuse treatment capacity; and addressing the needs of youth and adults with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders. The goals of a transformed system would be to increase understanding that mental health is essential to overall health; that mental health care is consumer-driven and family-driven; that disparities in mental health care are eliminated; that early mental health screening, assessment, and referral to services are common practice; that excellent mental health care is delivered and research is accelerated; and that technology is used to access mental health care and information. Other presentations focused on key considerations for health system stakeholders, the integration of behavioral health into primary care, the Illinois children's mental health partnership, building coalitions to improve mental health services, and prevention and intervention for children's mental health in schools. Other presentations pertain to health plan and provider initiatives and programs and strategies for prevention and treatment. A listing of 41 resource organizations for children's mental health information and their Web sites