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Patterns and Predictors of Mental Healthcare Utilization in Schools and Other Service Sectors Among Adolescents at Risk for Depression

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Abstract

This study examined racial/ethnic and socioeconomic differences in service utilization across sectors (specialty mental health, school, primary care) for youth at risk for depression. Our sample included 362 adolescents who were enrolled in a larger project examining the effects of an indicated school-based depression prevention program. Service use across sectors mirrored national trends and previous research findings in which the education sector was most frequently utilized for mental health services. Race/ethnicity was significantly associated with parent-reported specialty mental health service utilization, even when controlling for other predictors of use. The study also suggests that racial disparities in service access generally appear to be reduced through the availability of education sector mental health services. Socioeconomic status was not associated with service use in any sector when controlling for other predictors. Parent–child agreement was moderate for report of specialty mental health service use and low for report of use of services within the education and primary care sectors.

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Acknowledgments

This publication was made possible by grant numbers R01 MH61984 and F32 MH086978, awarded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Child Health Institute, University of Washington, 6200 NE 74th St., Suite 100, Seattle, WA, 98115, USA

    Aaron R. Lyon, Kristy A. Ludwig, Ann Vander Stoep, Gretchen Gudmundsen & Elizabeth McCauley

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  1. Aaron R. Lyon
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  2. Kristy A. Ludwig
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  3. Ann Vander Stoep
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  4. Gretchen Gudmundsen
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  5. Elizabeth McCauley
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Correspondence to Aaron R. Lyon.

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Lyon, A.R., Ludwig, K.A., Stoep, A.V. et al. Patterns and Predictors of Mental Healthcare Utilization in Schools and Other Service Sectors Among Adolescents at Risk for Depression. School Mental Health 5, 155–165 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-012-9097-6

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