The purpose of this book is to address the problem of children and adolescents who have mental disorders that are chronic. While some emotional disorders in youngsters are reactive disorders which, with professional help, will be corrected by the natural process of psychological growth, there are youth who have illnesses that go on interminably. For those children, the existing mental health system has been ineffective.

In order to begin to address the needs of such youngsters, the first step is to bring together people knowledgeable about the problem. This volume integrates material presented at the National Conference on Chronic Mental Illness in Children and Adolescents, as well as knowledge that has developed since the time of that conference.

This reference looks at many of the problems encountered in treating chronically mentally ill youngsters such as: determining the population of this group; improving the method and quality of care delivery; and analysis of epidemiological data and public policy impediments. The importance of skillful clinical work with families and methods of providing family assessment and care are discussed. Treatment evaluation to determine which modalities of care are most effective for which types of children is discussed as part of the treatment program. Much of this book focuses upon strategy, policy and politics.