A physician's guide through the child and adolescent mental health system.

Despite the high prevalence of mental disorders among the child and adolescent population, a coherent, well-coordinated system for helping them has not developed. Primary care physicians are often frustrated in their attempts to find appropriate mental health services for child and adolescent patients, particularly if their families have limited resources to pay for care. This article gives an overview of the types of child and adolescent mental health services available in Texas, discusses entry requirements into various service systems, and offers practical advice to physicians on how to assist parents seeking care for their children.