Child rights and mental health

This article introduces the principles and articles of the United Nations C onvention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and discusses the implications o f this new conceptualization of childhood for child mental health. Consiste nt with the articles of the CRC, Canadian and US health administrations cal l for including the perspectives and participation of children in promotion of their own mental health and in the planning of mental health services. Examples of the incorporation of the CRC into programs and services for chi ldren and youth are described.