Youth involved with a number of large public service sectors, including juvenile justice, child welfare, and school SED programs, are at much greater risk for mental health problems than youth in the general population. Several studies describe the rates of mental health problems in these sectors (e.g., Clausen et al., 1998). Many youth meeting criteria for mental health diagnoses in these service sectors do not receive appropriate formal or informal mental health services. Among adolescents, this is of particular concern because youth with mental health disorders are more likely to have negative outcomes in young adulthood (Davis and VanDer Stoep, 1997). These youth are more likely to engage in illegal activities, cut short their education, and have poor employment outcomes during young adulthood (Blackorby et al., 1996) The Patterns of Care project has enrolled a representative sample of 1715 youth and their caregivers involved with five major public service sectors in San Diego County. The Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (CDISC IV) and several indicators of functional impairment were used to identify the presence of mental health disorders. This paper examines rates of specific mental health diagnoses among adolescents (aged 14-18) in the juvenile justice, child welfare, and school SED sectors. Factors that predict use of mental health services are described. Conclusions are drawn about the relationship between indicators of need for services and use of mental health services, as well about the potential for decreased access to mental health services as youth enter young adulthood.
Learning Objectives: 1. Describe the rates of specific mental health diagnoses among adolescents in three public service sectors. 2. Articulate some of the major factors that predict whether adolescents with mental health problems receive formal or informal mental health services. 3. Discuss the likelihood that adolescents with mental health diagnoses in public services will continue to have access to mental health services in young adulthood
Keywords: Adolescents, Service Delivery
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.