Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Detained Juveniles
Author: Kya Fawley, B.S..; Hilary Shalla, B.S..; Gene Griffin, J.D., Ph.D..; John S. Lyons, Ph.D..
Source: Volume 05, Number 02, January/February 2004 , pp.7-9(3)
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Abstract:
Research on juvenile justice indicates that 15 to 20 percent of juvenile delinquents suffer from mental illnesses. (Teplin, Abram, McClelland, Dulcan, & Mericle, 2002). The mental health needs of youth appear to worsen as they go deeper into the juvenile justice system. (Lyons, Baerger, Quigley, Erlich, & Griffin, 2001). While many providers in the juvenile justice system recognize that juveniles need mental health services, unfortunately many of the youth in detention facilities do not receive any treatment. (Stiffman, Chen, Elze, Dore, & Cheng, 1997; Lexcen & Redding, 2000). In cases where youth have received treatment, they are less likely to return to the juvenile justice system. (National Mental Health Association, 2003). Community-based programs, such as Multisystemic Treatment, appear to be the most effective form of treatment for juvenile delinquents.Keywords: Multisystemic Treatment, community-based, CSPI, CANS-MH, CAFAS, liasons
Affiliations:
1: Northwestern University.