ABSTRACT
Mental health problems1 in children present a national public health crisis (U.S. Public Health Service, 2000). Data from the National Health Interview Surveys indicate that approximately 5% of U.S. children ages 4 to 17 had emotional or behavioral problems, and for approximately 80% of these children there was an impact on their family life, friendships, learning or leisure activities (Simpson, Bloom, Cohen, Blumber & Bourdon, 2005). Studies of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders during childhood and adolescence suggest even higher rates (Kessler et al., 1994, 2005; Shaffer et al., 1996). Costello, Egger and Angold (2005) estimated that 3% to 18% of children in the United States have a psychiatric disorder that causes significant functional impairment (Federal Definition of Serious Emotional Disturbance, 1993), with the median estimate of 12% being twice the estimate produced by the National Health Interview Surveys.
