Schools, Children's Mental Health, and the Advocacy Challenge

Abstract Draws on a recently completed 2-year national study. Highlights some of the mental health service related problems in the schools, describes ways in which schools and mental health agencies (either singly or collaboratively) are trying to enhance the school life of children and strengthen their access to mental health services, and explores the implications for advocacy. Increasing attention is being directed to the role of the schools in serving children with behavioral and emotional problems under the mandate of the Education for the Handicapped Act, as well as those with problems who are not referred to special education.