Covering Mental Health:
A Resource Guide for Reporters and Editors
YOUTH AND MENTAL HEALTH
According to an Institute of Medicine Report, at least 7.5
million children, or 12 percent of U.S. youngsters, have a
diagnosible mental illness. Only about a third receive treatment.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,
3615 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20016 * (202) 966-7300
or 800-333-7636, fax (202) 966-2891, Web site:
http://www.aacap.org. Virginia Anthony, executive director;
Mary Randolph-Scott, communications, E-mail: mrscott@aacap.org.
Represents more than 5,700 psychiatrists specializing in
children and adolescents; publishes information on research;
sponsors committees on various issues; offers fact sheets
on such topics as psychiatric medication for children, children
who won't go to school, depressed children, stepfamily problems
and children's sleep disorders.
Center for School Mental Health Assistance, University
of Maryland, 680 W. Lexington St., 10th Floor, Baltimore,
Md., 21201-1570 * (888) 706-0980, fax (410) 706-0984, Web
site: http://csmha.ab.umd. edu. Mark Weist, Ph.D., director,
mweist@ umpsy.ab.umd.edu.
Funded by the Office of Adolescent Health, part of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, this center offers
technical assistance to promote the expansion and improvement
of mental health services for children and youth in schools.
Has a library with resource materials and produces a newsletter.
National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental
Health, Georgetown University Child Development Center,
3307 M St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20007-3935 * (202) 687-5000,
fax (202) 687-8899, E-mail: gucdc@gunet.georgetown.edu. Sybil
Goldman, director.
Offers information packets, issue briefs and monographs on
children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbances.
National Resource Network on Child and Family Mental Health
Services, Washington Business Group on Health, 777 N.
Capitol St. NE, Washington, D.C. 20002 * (202) 408-9320, fax
(202) 408-9332, E-mail: nrn@wbgh.com. Constance Dellmuth,
director.
Offers technical assistance in developing family-focused,
culturally competent, community-based multi-agency service
delivery systems at 29 sites for children with serious emotional
disturbances and their families. Focuses on policy issues
and legislation in these areas. Funded by the Center for Mental
Health Services.
Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health,
1021 Prince St., Alexandria, Va. 22314 * (703) 684-7710, fax
(703) 836-1040, Web site:
http://www.ffcmh.org, E-mail: ffcmh@crosslink.net. Barbara
Huff, executive director.
Parent-run group that focuses on the needs of children and
youth with emotional, behavior or mental disorders. Offers
information and advocates for prevention, early intervention,
family support, education, transition services and other resources
needed by children and their families.
Research and Training Center for Children's Mental Health,
Department of Child and Family Studies, Florida Mental Health
Institute, University of South Florida, 13301 Bruce B. Downs
Boulevard, Tampa, Fla. 33612 * (813) 974-4661, fax (813) 974-4406.
Robert Friedman, chairman, E-mail: friedman@hal.fmhi.usf.edu;
Krista Kutash, deputy director, E-mail: kutash@hal. fmhi.usf.edu;
Albert Duchnowski, co-director, E-mail: duchnows@hal.fimhi.usf.edu.
Conducts studies of children with serious emotional disturbances
and does service system research; conducts annual conference.
Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's
Mental Health, Regional Research Institute of Portland
State University, P. O. Box 751, Portland, Ore. 97207 * (503)
725-4040, fax (503) 725-4180; Barbara Friesen, director, E-mail:
frieseb@rri.pdx.edu.
Conducts research and training focused on family support
issues, family/professional collaboration and diverse cultural
groups.
