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Primer for Mental Health Practitioners Working With Youth Involved in the Juvenile Justice System

NCJ Number
238421
Author(s)
Robert Kinscherff Ph.D.
Date Published
January 2012
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This document, produced by the Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health, is handbook for professionals working with youth involved in the juvenile justice system.
Abstract
This document is intended for use by mental health practitioners who provide professional services to youth involved with the juvenile justice system, as well as juvenile court and juvenile justice personnel who work with these youth. The document was developed in response to the increase in the number of youth with mental health problems who enter the juvenile justice system. This primer addresses the emerging research and practices for working with youth with mental health problems, the emerging conceptualization of trauma and its implications for youth involved with the juvenile justice system, and the implications for mindful public policy decisionmaking regarding youth with mental health needs involved with the juvenile justice system. The common diagnoses found among youth involved with the juvenile justice system are discussed and include anxiety disorders, mood disorders, attention deficit and disruptive behavior disorders, and substance use disorders. References