"When the Head Start teacher told me that she would like us to meet with Paul, the mental health consultant, it really disturbed me: I told her, 'My child is not crazy-BJ may be a little wild, but he's not crazy!' But she explained that Paul could help BJ get along with the other kids better, so I agreed to let him come observe BJ and then talk with me and the teachers.

Now I can admit I'm glad I did. Paul is a regular guy-and he really understands BJ. He had some great ideas about how the teachers and I can help BJ work out his problems without pretending to be an action hero and punching and kicking the other kids: BJ is figuring out that when he does what Paul suggests, the other kids want to play with him more. Paul has hung in there with BJ for a while now, and BJ really trusts him. Not only that, but he has great suggestions for me. I like talking to Paul he really helps me when I feel overwhelmed."

For BJ's Mom, as for many people, the words "mental health" trigger fears and visions of serious social and emotional problems. But this view of mental health focuses on illness and makes it easy to forget about real emotional health and wellness. Mental health is not only the absence of mental illness but a condition where children and their families can experience positive social and emotional development.

Promoting Mental Health is a guide to help Head Start staff understand how to promote mental health, so they can contribute to Head Start programs that support the social and emotional development of children, families, and their community. After completing the activities in this guide participants will be able to answer the question, "What can I do to help promote mental health?"

It offers direction in how the strengths and abilities that characterize mental health can be encouraged and reinforced. Often Head Start programs are faced with situations that require responding to emotional and behavioral illness. The tools to aid responding are a critical part of any comprehensive mental health program, but they will not be addressed here. Other guides in this series, as well as additional publications from the Head Start Bureau and from elsewhere, which do address the issues of early identification, referral, and treatment of emotional and behavioral disorders are cited in the "Resources" section.

The concepts and activities in this guide build on each other. For a comprehensive approach, proceed through the guide from the beginning to the end. However, the learning activities can be adapted to specific situations. For example, a workshop activity can be adapted to coaching, or stories from the individual program can be inserted.

Training materials are effective only when they can be applied to the everyday work setting. Knowledge and skills that are developed in training must be supported by follow-up activities. This guide contains sections titled "Next Steps: Ideas to Extend Practice" and "Continuing Professional Development" to help users design long-term learning plans.

This training guide was developed through the assistance of Head Start programs and staff from across the country. Our thanks to the Head Start staff and parents who shared their stories, participated in training, and provided feedback on the activities. We appreciate the assistance provided by the Head Start Bureau in Washington, D.C., Regional Offices, Technical Assistance Support Centers (TASCs), Resource Access Projects (RAPs), National Training Contractors (NTCs), and our expert Development Team.

We hope that Promoting Mental Health contributes to your mental health by providing an opportunity for satisfying professional growth. For when you, the Head Start practitioner, are experiencing fulfillment and growth in your work, everyone you touch benefits.