Major issues in mental health services for children

One of the most neglected groups in the mental health field has been children and adolescents. In recent years, however, there has been increased interest on state and national levels in improving services, particularly for seriously emotionally disturbed children. This paper identifies and discusses major issues that policy-makers need to address in order to enhance mental health services for children and adolescents. These issues include creating a balance between different types of services, reducing reliance on residential treatment, improving coordination of children's services, creating a public sector—private advocate partnership, establishing community-based systems of service, and strengthening fiscal policies.Dr. Friedman is with the Florida Mental Health Institute of the University of South Florida, 13301 N. 30th St., Tampa, Florida 33612.