Provided by David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D.
Surgeon General of the United States of America
Chapter 3: Children and Mental Health
Overview of Risk Factors and Prevention
Primary Mental Health Project
The Primary Mental Health Project (PMHP) is a 42-year-old
program for early detection and prevention of young children’s school adjustment
problems. PMHP currently operates in approximately 2,000 schools in 700 school
districts nationally and internationally. Seven states in the United States are
implementing the program systematically, based on authorizing legislation and
state appropriations.
PMHP has four key elements: (1) a focus on primary grade children; (2)
systematic use of brief objective screening measures for early identification of
children in need; (3) use of carefully selected, trained, closely supervised
nonprofessionals (called child associates) to establish a caring and trusting
relationship with children; and (4) a changing role for the school professionals
that features selection, training, and supervision of child associates, early
systematic screening, and functioning as program coordinator, liaison, and
consultant to parents, teachers and other school personnel.
The PMHP model has been applied flexibly to diverse ethnic and sociodemographic
groups in settings where help is most needed. Over 30 program evaluation
studies, including several at the state level, underscore the program’s efficacy
(Cowen et al., 1996). Significant improvements were detected in children’s
grades, achievement test scores, and adjustment ratings by teachers and child
associates. PMHP represents a successful mental health intervention that does
not require highly trained and skilled mental health professionals.
Back to the Mental Health: The Surgeon General's Report Table of Contents