PLANNING MENTAL-HEALTH-SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH .2. FINDINGS OF A VALUE-BASED COMMUNITY CONSULTATION PROJECT

The main purpose of this paper is to describe the empirical results of a community consultation process designed to help a children's mental health agency review its mandate. We report in this article findings related to three essential ingredients of the renewal project: values, needs, and services. Data from 557 people representing various stakeh older groups were collected using mail-out questionnaires and 12 focus groups. Findings reveal that stakeholders envision a Center that is b oth accessible and responsive to its clients. In terms of the mental h ealth needs of children and youth, three areas were highlighted: (a) c onduct disorders and behavioral problems, (b) emotional problems, and (c) problems related to sexual abuse. Youth reported significant diffi culties with substance abuse and family problems. Adult respondents re commended a change in the Center's budget to allow for more prevention -oriented services. The challenge for the Center was to incorporate th e community's suggestions into their mandate and to continue to involv e relevant stakeholders throughout the agency's renewal process. Some of the changes that have taken place since the mandate review are repo rted. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.