Measuring the minority gap in mental health service use among suicidal youth: Findings from a national survey

Objective: This cross-sectional study examined the possible health disparities related to mental health service utilization among suicidal youth. It also examined the level and nature of unmet treatment need and its relationship to racial/ethnic status and other socio-demographic factors. Methods: From a national survey, a representative sample of 877 suicide attempters (ages 12-17) were identified. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were used to assess racial/ethnic differences in the use of different types of mental health services. Logistic regression models were used to examine if the service utilization disparity could be explained by other predictors of mental health service use. Results: Less than half of all suicide attempters received any treatment for their suicidal behaviors in the year preceding the interview. While 50% of whites reported receiving services for any emotional/behavioral problems, rates of mental health service use were substantially lower for African Americans (31.3%), Hispanics (36.5%), and others (38.5%). Particularly, out-patient servcie use for those with suicidal behaviors was higest among whites (29.2%) and lowest among African Americans (12.6%); but this racial/ethnic gap was not as wide when comparing the use of school-based services. In logistic regression models, the racial/ethnic disparity in mental health service utilization remained after controlling for age, gender, insurance status, and symptom severity. Conclusion: The results indicate an unmet mental health service need in suicidal youth, especially among minorities. Policy makers and mental health professionals should aim to reduce the extisting servie use gap through improved school-based delivery and greater parent/child education measures.