We take a lot for granted in the mental health field. This was demonstrated vividly this past spring, when a group of child mental health researchers, program leaders, and advocates gathered in the Mile High City for A Summit on Children’s Mental Health. The group task was to identify research-based knowledge that could be synthesized and simplified to create a convincing “core” story about the critical importance of good child mental health. Most amazing was the large volume of knowledge on child mental health that has actually emerged in the past 20 years, and which we usually just assume without ever discussing.

Participants toiled to identify knowledge about child mental health promotion, prevention, treatment, and family challenges. The goal was to provide knowledge to construct a unified message for different audiences—legislators, business leaders, members of the community—that healthy mental development is crucial for a child and his or her family, for the well-being of the community, and even for the global competitiveness of the United States.

Forty researchers, program leaders, and advocates were joined by Susan Bales, President and Founder of the Frameworks Institute, as well as several members of her senior staff. The Institute undertakes communication research to develop the core parts of stories that are effective in moving the public agenda on major policy issues, such as global warming. Of importance to us, the Institute has received foundation funding to develop key messages about child mental health over the next two years. This represents a wonderful opportunity for us to partner with the Institute to improve our own mental health communication strategies.

Several things became very clear during this review. First and foremost, all participants were fully committed to the fundamental importance of good child mental health, as well as to the need for high quality care when mental illness occurs. Second, although considerable research-based knowledge is available about key issues, such as promotion, prevention, and treatment, this information has not yet been codified into a coherent story. Third, an urgent need exists—national health reform is an immediate example—to put this important knowledge to effective use.

To my recollection, this was the very first time the child mental health field has convened explicitly to assess the state of our collective knowledge. Great enthusiasm was expressed to continue the work undertaken in Denver. Codifying our current knowledge can also help us to identify knowledge gaps, needed research projects, needed demonstration and intervention projects, and needed collaborations that extend well beyond our field.
 
Colorado First Lady Jeannie Ritter keynoted the Summit with great energy and a plea for the child mental health field to work with new partners—educators, judges, sheriffs, faith-based leaders, and others. These “new partners” share much of our agenda, yet currently remain hidden from us. The First Lady was introduced by Karen Beye, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Human Services, who set an important quality improvement theme.

The group concurred that we must move beyond the very narrow “stovepipes” of the past that constrain our creativity and effectiveness in an ever changing environment. New healthcare strategies, new resource models, and new demands, particularly as a result of the economic downturn, will challenge us every day to do so. We must prepare and be ready for these challenges. Gary Blau, Child Mental Health Branch Chief at the Center for Mental Health Services, SAMHSA, urged that we put aside historical differences and competitiveness to create a future in which the public will see the value in caring for every child’s mental health.  .

Ronald W. Manderscheid, PhD, worked for more than 30 years in the federal government on behavioral health research and policy. He is the Executive Director of the National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors as well as a member of Behavioral Healthcare's Editorial Board.