The report, "Blamed and Ashamed: The Treatment Experiences of Youth with Co-occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders and their Families," was based on a two-year study that included focus groups with more than 150 ethnically diverse people from California, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, New Mexico, and West Virginia.

Based on the results, the report recommended that gaps in treatment be addressed with peer support for youth and families and combined treatment. It further recommended to providers that youth and their families be involved in the process for developing treatment services.

The report also suggested development of a public-awareness campaign on mental illness and positive models of treatment that could be disseminated in schools, to families, and through youth groups.

The study, sponsored by the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), was conducted by the Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health in Alexandria, Va., and Keys for Networking Inc., in Topeka, Kan, with support from SAMHSA's Center for Mental Health Services.

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