This collaborative ATLAS project is a systematic attempt to collect information from countries around the world on existing services and resources relating to child and adolescent mental health services. The primary purposes of this initial report are to stimulate additional data gathering and to encourage the development of policy, services and training. Issues discussed include: methods and limitations of the project, rights of the child and adolescent, policy and programmes, information systems, service system gaps and service integration, barriers to care, care providers, training and financing of care services, availability and use of medication.