How Americans Can Help Children with Mental Illness, and Their Families, Help Themselves. Connect for Kids : Guidance for Grown-Ups / Richard Louv.

This article highlights the untended mental health needs of children across the United States. Citing troubling mental health statistics, the author suggests creating a community culture that does not stigmatize or ignore mental health problems, specifically by making prevention and treatment the rule. One of the potential stumbling blocks identified is that of the health care system itself, which pits a childs physical health against his or her emotional well-being. But around the country mental health advocates and government agencies are attempting to create a safety net for children. The goal: coordinate efforts of schools, justice systems, social services, and health and dental care providers, into a safety net capable of catching children. The article includes a discussion of how programs, communities, and policies can help families help themselves, and how schools can and should become an important part of this network. (GCP)

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