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Mental Health Treatment for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System: A Compendium of Promising Practices

NCJ Number
207117
Date Published
2004
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This compendium of promising practices and programs that provide mental health services for youth in the juvenile justice system focuses on types of therapy, mental health treatment for special juvenile populations, promising existing programs, and ineffective policies.
Abstract
An introductory overview notes the higher rates of mental health disorders among youth in the juvenile justice system compared with youth in the general population, and it outlines the values and principles for mental health services to this population as well as a service continuum. This overview is followed by descriptions of promising mental health therapies. Generally, the most effective therapies are highly structured, intensive, and focus on social-skill development, behavioral change, and attitude and perceptual change. The treatment methods discussed are multisystemic therapy, functional family therapy, "wraparound," cognitive-behavioral therapy, and multidimensional treatment foster care. Given the importance of tailoring treatment to the population to be served, one section of the compendium addresses treatment for the following special youth populations: youth with co-occurring disorders, adolescent girls, and youth of color. Another section profiles 11 promising programs that are currently operating to treat juvenile mental health disorders. Included in this section is a presentation of treatment recommendations for the use of antipsychotics for aggressive youth. In identifying ineffective policies, the compendium discusses the punishment of juveniles in adult prison, youth curfew laws, and juvenile boot camps. 65 notes