Module 1: Overview of the Juvenile Justice, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Treatment Systems

2. The Mental Health Treatment System

The philosophy of the mental health treatment system is based on the belief that by understanding a youth's behavior, appropriate treatment, leading to behavior change, can be provided. The mental health system typically takes a gradual and supportive approach while working with youth and their families.

This section provides basic information on how youth enter the mental health treatment system, providers of treatment, assessment, mental health treatment settings, treatment approaches, the goal of psychotropic medication, and characteristics of successful mental health interventions.

An exercise is included to highlight the main points related to the mental health treatment system that are relevant for those working in the juvenile justice and substance abuse treatment systems. Basic knowledge of how this system works is vital to achieving collaboration when working with youth with co-occurring disorders.