Two models of mental health service programs for elementary school children were reviewed. The Sudaemoonkoo School Mental Health Project which was designed to Provide basic mental heatlh services for children in two elementary schools in Sudaemo7nk7o ...
Two models of mental health service programs for elementary school children were reviewed. The Sudaemoonkoo School Mental Health Project which was designed to Provide basic mental heatlh services for children in two elementary schools in Sudaemo7nk7o with special emphasis on early identification and treatment of children with mental health problems consisted of the following components ; comprehensive assessment programs for children identified to be at risk for behavior disorders at the initial screening process, telephone consultation service open to parents, mental health education for teachers and parents, bimonthly mental health consultation sessions for teachers, social skills training for children with mild school adjustment problems, and monthly newsletters with information on child mental health. A university-based school mental health team consisting of psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and college student volunteers provided services in the Sudaemoonkoo project. The Osansee Public Health Center Elementary School Mental Health Program included registration of children with mental health problem, mental health education for teachers and parents as well as the campaign for children's mental health via mass media, and crisis intervention program. A nurse at the public health center with a consulting psychiatrist provided services for the Osansee Elementary School Mental Health Program. Evaluation of the two programs suggested that university-based model such as Sudaemoonkoo Project is more appropriate where the option is available and the participating school is ready for more intensive programs, while public health center model is more approapriate where professional manpower is limited and motivation for school mental health program in the community is not high. It was suggested that institutional support and professional manpower within the school system are important conditions for success of school mental health programs.