Teen outreach: a grassroots experiment in social psychiatry

In response to concerns about the social and psychological needs of teenagers, a Teen Outreach Program was established in Beckley, West Virginia. This program has received great support from the local community and can be conceived of as a grassroots experiment in social psychiatry. In the program's first year, trained teenage volunteers under adult supervision, handled over 400 calls from teenagers on such topics as relationship problems, suicidal thoughts, drug and alcohol abuse, and sexuality. Teen Outreach is perceived by the entire community as beneficial and has expanded to encompass 33 counties.