The Promotion of Mental Health: Role of the Family

Increasing awareness of the prevalence of mental illness in children and adolescents has been followed by an awareness of the global burden—economic and social, in addition to the suffering of individuals and their families. The Institute of Medicine recently acknowledged that insufficient attention has been paid to attempting to reduce the global burden of mental illness. In light of what we know about development and the important role of the family in promoting healthy development in children, it is crucial to support the role of the family. The author draws on his long career as a therapist, an administrator of clinical services, and a leader in mental health service agencies, as well as his personal experience as a father and grandfather, to present a comprehensive overview of what we know and what we need to do to promote mental health in our children and adolescents.