Play Under Siege -- (03-23-04) -- No naptime in preschool, no recess in kindergarten--are schools focusing too narrowly on desk learning alone? Child development specialist Ed Zigler says that children's play is under attack as schools focus on children's reading development at the expense of their equally important (and related) physical, social and emotional development.

2004 Child Care Survey: Family, friend and neighbor care supply and demand -- (11-05-07) -- Fundamental facts from the 2004 child care survey

40 Developmental Assets -- (10-16-08) -- Search Institute of Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A., has identified the following building blocks of healthy development that help all young people grow up healthy, caring and responsible.

Children's Perspectives of Their Mental Health Services -- (07-16-08) -- This literature review attempted to summarize research examining foster children's perspectives of child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). Given the dearth of information on this topic, the authors instead reviewed the literature on children's and youth's perspectives of mental health services.

Gene clues suggest autism strikes when brain can't learn properly from early life experiences -- (07-10-08) -- Harvard researchers have discovered half a dozen new genes involved in autism that suggest the disorder strikes in a brain that can't properly form new connections.

"Great Start" Project Bolsters Children's Mental Health -- (06-12-08) -- As Mental Health Month and Children's Mental Health Week (May 4 through 10) are observed this year, mental health care for young Minnesota children and their families is stronger because of the Great Start Minnesota Project.

"Great Start" Project Bolsters Children's Mental Health -- (05-21-08) -- As Mental Health Month and Children's Mental Health Week (May 4 through 10) are observed this year, mental health care for young Minnesota children and their families is stronger because of the Great Start Minnesota Project.

The Wakanheza Project -- (04-26-08) -- The Wakanheza Project is a community-wide effort that provides tools and strategies to help us effectively respond in these every-day situations and prevent them from happening in the first place, by creating welcoming environments for our children, young people, and families.

Blamed and Ashamed -- (03-03-08) -- This unique monograph documents the treatment experiences of youth with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders from the perspective of youth and their families.

New Roles for Families in Systems of Care -- (03-03-08) -- Volume I of the 1998 series of monographs, Systems of Care: Promising Practices in Children's Mental Health, provides background on how families raising children with mental health needs have found and developed their voice to become strong partners and assertive leaders in developing a better system of care.

Family Participation in Action: Are Families Actually Involved? -- (01-23-08) -- Family participation in educational planning is believed to improve the academic success of children with disabilities. It is also a fundamental right of parents and an essential component of special education legislation. This article reports on family perceptions of their participation in educational planning for their children.

Are Brothers and Sisters a Good Source of Support? -- (01-23-08) -- This longitudinal study investigated the effects of positive sibling relationships on the mental health of children who experience stressful life events.

FosterClub's Guide for Young People in Foster Care: Getting Through the Holidays -- (12-19-07) -- Lots of people talk about how stressful the holidays can be. But it can be REALLY tough for young people in foster care. This guide includes 10 tips for youth in foster care, developed by young people who know first-hand what it's like.

Prozac Can Help Teens with Co-occurring Addictions, Mental Illness, Researchers Say -- (11-16-07) -- Adolescents with co-occurring addictions and depression can benefit from a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and fluoxetine (Prozac) in cases where therapy alone does not appear to be improving their depressive symptoms.

Perceptions and Expectations of Youth with Disabilities -- (11-07-07) -- The National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2), funded by the National Center for Special Education Research at the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education, was initiated in 2001 to provide a national picture of the characteristics and experiences of youth with disabilities, including their perceptions of themselves, their schooling, their personal relationships, and their hopes for the future. This report presents findings drawn from the first time data were collected directly from youth on these topics; they were ages 15 through 19 at the time (2003).

Youth Fact Sheets (developed by youth with special health care needs) -- (11-06-07) -- Youth Fact Sheets are a series of six fact sheets developed and edited by youth with special health care needs. Topics include planning for technical or 4-year college, how to get supports in the workplace, how to be involved in the Individual Education Planning process and others.

School-Based Mental Health Professionals -- (07-04-07) --

Talk, Listen, Connect: Helping Families During Military Deployment -- (04-02-07) -- This free, bilingual kit helps families with 3- to 5-year-olds cope with challenges and concerns related to pre-deployment, deployment, and homecoming. Including a DVD with the beloved Muppets from Sesame Street, and a magazine and poster for parents or caregivers.

Overscheduled Child -- (06-16-05) -- Does this sound like your family…Your children are involved in several activities outside school. Consequently, you and your spouse are spending a lot of time making sure everyone gets where he or she needs to be. Most days you and your children don't have any time to relax. These are just some of the signs that your family may be overscheduled.

Bit more attention reduces tension -- (01-10-05) -- From the Star Tribune: For the past two years, the counselors and support staff at Washington and two other middle schools in St. Paul -- Battle Creek and Hazel Park -- are pushing a new approach for some of the most challenging students in this most challenging age group. Using data to identify the students who get into the most trouble, counselors have started giving them extra time and attention.

Blueprint for Change: Research on Child and Adolescent Mental Health -- (01-05-05) -- A report of the National Advisory Mental Health Council's Workgroup on child and adolescent mental health intervention development and deployment

Preparing Youth for Peer Pressure -- (11-04-04) -- Peer pressure—it's more than just a phase that young people go through. Whether it leads to pink hair or body piercing, peer pressure is a powerful reality and many adults do not realize its effects. It can be a negative force in the lives of children and adolescents, often resulting in their experimentation with tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs.

Parent-School and Community Partnerships in Children's Mental Health -- (09-24-04) -- This paper reports a qualitative investigation of the networking experiences of parents and of representatives from schools, mental health and faith-based organizations involved in services for at-risk youth in an inner-city community. Barriers to partnership are discussed together with recommendations for successful networking strategies.

Recognizing and Treating Attention Deficit Disorder -- (09-22-04) -- Kevin twists and fidgets as he tries to work on his homework. Unable to find his assignment sheet in his messy binder, he leaps up and begins to bounce off the sofa and chairs. His mother demands that he stop before he breaks something. He doesn't look at his mother, or even seem to hear her. Both Kevin and his mother are frustrated by this familiar battle. But Mom has another worry. Is her son just a very active boy or does he have attention deficit disorder (ADD)?

Kids and antidepressants: The mix raises questions -- (09-16-04) -- A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel has recommended putting a "black box" warning on antidepressants to indicate they might raise the risk of suicidal behavior in children and teens.

Children and War: How can we help? -- (06-11-04) -- International Center to Heal Our Children (ICHOC) created a fact sheet designed to help parents and teachers talk to children about war. In response to children's questions and fears about a current war, ICHOC has created a unique resource with frequently asked questions, warning signs and suggested coping mechanisms for kids.

Parents of bipolar children praise FDA warning on antidepressants, suicidality -- (04-30-04) -- The Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF) today praised the Food and Drug Administration for issuing a Public Health Advisory stating the potential for increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions from medications used to treat depression.

Frequent TV watching shortens kids' attention spans -- (04-09-04) -- Psychologists and media experts are concerned, but not surprised, by a landmark study suggesting that frequent TV watching by infants and toddlers may shorten their attention span by age 7.

Identifying and Treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Resource for School and Home -- (03-29-04) -- We have all had one of these experiences at one time or another. Perhaps it was at the grocery store, watching frustrated parents call their children's names repeatedly and implore them to "put that down". Maybe it was a situation at school with a child who could not seem to sit still and was always in motion. Maybe we noticed a child who appears always to be daydreaming in class--the student who will not focus on an activity long enough to finish it. Possibly the child is bored with a task, seemingly as soon as it has begun, and wants to move on to something else. We all puzzle over these challenging behaviors.

ADHD Awareness -- (02-26-04) -- According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects 3 to 5 percent of children in the United States. At CIGNA Behavioral Health, this disorder ranked 5th most frequently sited reason for accessing benefits/services. CIGNA Behavioral Health's years of experience in assisting practitioners and families have shown us the importance of information, planning, resources and teamwork for the successful management of this illness. In an effort to provide these to the parents and families of children living with this disorder, CIGNA Behavioral Health has developed an educational or preventive health program for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. This program consists of tools for parents on understanding and managing ADHD and for providers on monitoring treatment progress, medication benefits and side effects and cultivating knowledge of ADHD.

Students With Chronic Illnesses: Guidance for Families, Schools, and Students -- (09-17-03) -- Chronic illnesses affect at least 10 to 15 percent of American children. Responding to the needs of students with chronic conditions, such as asthma, allergies, diabetes, and epilepsy (also known as seizure disorders), in the school setting requires a comprehensive, coordinated, and systematic approach.

Anxiety Disorders - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- All children feel anxious at times. Many young children, for example, show great distress when separated from their parents. Preschoolers are often frightened of strangers, thunderstorms, or the dark. These are normal and usually short-lived anxieties. But some children suffer from anxieties severe enough to interfere with the daily activities of childhood or adolescence.

Asperger's Syndrome - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (04-09-04) -- Asperger's Syndrome, a subset of the autism spectrum disorders, was first identified in the 1940's. Before knowledge of the diagnosis was expanded, the term "high functioning autism" was usually used. An increasing number of children are now being identified with this disorder.

Peer Stigmatization of Childhood Depression and ADHD -- (10-29-08) -- Topic: This article examined the level of stigmatizing attitudes in children and adolescents towards peers with two common mental health conditions: depression and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

ADHD: How to Build Your Team at School -- (04-07-08) -- You are the expert on your child. Sharing insights and techniques that seem to help your son or daughter pay attention can be valuable to your child's teacher. Children spend a large portion of their day in school. That's why it is so important to establish a good relationship with teachers and other members of the school staff.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- Children and teens with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may be overactive and/or unable to pay attention and stay on task. They tend to be impulsive and accident-prone. They may answer questions before raising their hand, forget things, fidget, squirm, or talk too loud. On the other hand, some students with this disorder may be quiet and "spacey" - inattentive, forgetful, and easily distracted.

Study links father's age and risk of bipolar child -- (09-02-08) -- Children born to older fathers face a greater chance of developing bipolar disorder, according to one of the largest studies linking mental illness with advanced paternal age.

Bipolar Youth at Higher Risk of Addiction -- (06-05-08) -- Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) say that adolescents with bipolar disorder are more likely to use alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depressive Illness) - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- Bipolar disorder, also known as Manic-Depressive Illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide.

Conduct Disorder - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- Children and adolescents with conduct disorder are highly visible, demonstrating a complicated group of behavioral and emotional problems. Serious, repetitive, and persistent misbehavior is the essential feature of this disorder. These behaviors fall in four main groups: aggressive behavior toward people or animals, destruction of property, deceitfulness or theft, and serious violations of rules.

Major Depressive Episode among Youths Aged 12 to 17 in the United States: 2004 to 2006 -- (05-13-08) -- A 3 page short report based on SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), provides annual averages of the rate of past year major depressive episodes, depression related levels of impairment, average number of days of inability to carry out normal activities due to depression, and history of previous depressive episodes.

Depression - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- All children feel sad or blue at times, but feelings of sadness that persist for weeks or months may be a symptom of major depressive disorder or dysthymic disorder (chronic depression). These depressive disorders are more than "the blues"; they affect a young person's thoughts, feelings, behavior, and body, and can lead to school failure, alcohol or drug abuse, and even suicide. Depression is one of the most serious mental, emotional, and behavior disorders suffered by children and teens.

Eating Disorders - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- People with eating disorders experience serious disturbances in their food intake or overeating, as well as extreme concern about body shape or weight. Eating disorders usually develop during adolescence or early adulthood. Eating disorders are not due to weak willpower or bad behavior, rather, they are real, treatable illnesses. The two main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

Cholesterol Seen as Potential Buffer Against Fetal Alcohol Syndrome -- (03-14-07) -- Animal studies show that small amounts of alcohol impair the ability of cholesterol to develop cells and organs in developing embryos, leading researchers to postulate that giving cholesterol supplements to alcoholic mothers could prevent alcohol-induced birth defects.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAS/FAE) - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is brain damage and physical birth defects caused by a woman drinking alcohol during pregnancy. FAS can include growth deficiencies, central nervous system dysfunction that may include low IQ or mental retardation, and abnormal facial features (for example, small eye openings, small upturned nose, thin upper lip, small lower jaw, low set ears, and an overall small head circumference). Children lacking the distinguishing facial features may be labeled with fetal alcohol effects (FAE).

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Children's Mental Health Fact Sheet for the Classroom -- (06-23-04) -- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) has a neurobiological basis. This means it is a biological disease of the brain, just as diabetes is a biological disease of the pancreas. OCD is not caused by bad parenting, poverty, or other environmental factors.