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School-based mental health: Toward a comprehensive approach

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Abstract

In response to psychosocial problems that affect schooling, school-based mental health programs have proliferated. Available evidence, however, suggests such programs often are planned and implemented in a narrow and piecemeal fashion. As a result, there is little coordination for integration and continuity with each other or with other school and community-based programs. In addressing the problem, this paper briefly (a) summarizes conclusions from a descriptive survey of one school district's programmatic efforts, (b) discusses the role of school mental health specialists related to such programs, and (c) outlines processes for moving toward a comprehensive school-based approach in addressing mental health concerns.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of California, 405 Hilgard Ave., 90024-1563, Los Angeles, CA

    Howard S. Adelman Ph.D. (Professor of Psychology)

  2. School Mental Health Center, Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles, USA

    Linda Taylor Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Howard S. Adelman Ph.D.
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  2. Linda Taylor Ph.D.
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Additional information

Aspects of work cited were supported by funds from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

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Adelman, H.S., Taylor, L. School-based mental health: Toward a comprehensive approach. The Journal of Mental Health Administration 20, 32–45 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02521401

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