Improving Children's Mental Health Through Parent Empowerment

Book excerpt: Whether you call yourself a parent advisor, advocate, coordinator, support specialist, liaison, mentor, coach, or another term, this guide provides the essential information you need as a parent helping parents. The book is divided into four parts for easy reference: Part One: Addresses important skills you will want to hone, such as listening, collaboration, priority setting, and group management. Part Two describes the mental health system and gives guidance for helping parents obtain appropriate treatment for their child. Part Three covers working with the school system and the different special education options families should consider. Part Four explains education laws and how they should be used to ensure children receive all the appropriate services they need. Specifically designed to assist you in your work with families, this guide includes the following helpful features: -A useful self-assessment to zero in on the key areas where you will want to focus your efforts -Concrete strategies that work-- all based on the wisdom and experience of parent mentors just like you from across the country -Practical, easy-to-read instruction co-written by experts 'in the trenches' and leading university researchers -Tips for parents and important points highlighted throughout the book for quick reference -Self study questions at the end of each chapter to help reinforce what you've learned -A handy appendix with a wealth of current resources for more information on advocacy, training programs, and children's mental health Helping parents "take charge" of their children's mental health care is a rewarding job. It is also a challenging one. In your work empowering parents, this guide will become an invaluable resource of the knowledge you require to succeed.