Education and Training of Children's Mental Health Professionals: The Existing and Potential Role of Schools of Public Health

This paper discusses the results of a survey that investigated the exiting capacity for and potential to expand education and training opportunities in children's mental health services within schools of public health. The survey was sent to all 27 schools of public health in the United States and Puerto Rico accredited by the Council on Education in Public Health. The survey sought information on the existence, substantive nature, and availability of mental health and substance abuse courses, areas of concentration, as well as degree programs within these colleges of public health. It also contained questions which sought information on how these courses and programs were organized within the schools of public health. Results found that 19 of the 27 schools of public health offered courses in mental health services, with 12 schools offering two or more mental health courses. Eighteen of the 27 schools of public health offered courses in social and behavioral sciences. Topics most frequently offered were mental health epidemiology, mental health planning, administration, policy and law, mental health statistics and research, children and family mental health services, and stress management. (Contains 12 references.) (CR)