The Administrator's Role in Fostering the Mental Health of Special Services Personnel.

It is important for special education administrators to recognize the potential disaster that might result from inattention to the mental health needs of their staffs and organizations. Indications of staff "burnout" (rapid turnover of staff due to stress) are already apparent. The phenomenon can only be detrimental to the whole concept and mission of the special services organizations in school districts. Much of the stress experienced is directly attributal to the implementation requirements of Public Law 94-142 (Education for All Handicapped Children Act). The three important tasks for an administrator in fostering mental health for individuals and organizations are: (1) to diagnose the environmental conditions influencing the organization or individual, (2) to implement appropriate change strategies aimed at eliminating or minimizing stress conditions, and (3) to determine the effectiveness of the strategies implemented and the mental health status of the organization or individual. In a formal assessment of the mental health of an individual or organization three criteria (adaptability, identity, and reality-testing) are used to judge the health of the individual or group. (Author/PHR)