March 19, 1999

An 11-state survey by the Mental Health America (NMHA) shows that many communities are not responding adequately to the mental health and substance abuse needs of youth in the justice system.

The survey was conducted with the National GAINS (Gather, Assess, Interpret, Network, and Stimulate) Center for People with Co-Occurring Disorders in the Justice System. The center is a national clearinghouse for information about effective mental health and substance abuse services for people in the criminal justice system.

The survey found uneven reporting of juveniles with mental health problems across sites. Some sites reported that as many as three-fourths of its juvenile population had a mental disorder, while other sites reported none.

Typically, children with mental disorders are not identified until after they are involved in the justice system, and then most receive little or no treatment, notes the statement.

NMHA President and CEO Michael Faenza said in a press release, "This survey provides one more compelling piece of evidence that we are failing kids with mental health and emotional problems, particularly poor, minority youth."

Among the survey findings:

• An absence of programs in communities to identify youths with mental health and substance abuse problems proactively.



• A general lack of information on the prevalence of mental health and/or substance abuse disorders in children in the juvenile justice system.



• A lack of routine standardized screenings and assessments of children in the justice system.



• Fragmented services to treat youth in the juvenile justice system.



• Poor communication between the mental health and juvenile justice systems.

The report also noted that while some community services are available for youth, they usually do not target the special needs of juveniles in the justice system. Moreover, youth diagnosed in the justice system with mental health or substance abuse problems are rarely linked to community services upon release, according to the statement.

The survey findings support the need for legislation introduced by Sen. Paul Wellstone (D-Minn.) last month to improve mental health and substance abuse services for children in communities and juvenile facilities, according to the press release.

More information on the NMHA Justice for Juveniles Initiative is posted at the NMHA Web site atwww.nmha.org/children/justjuv/index.cfm.-C.L.