Racial and ethnic differences in factors that affect access to community-based mental health services among transitional-age youth

This paper examines how factors that affect the type of mental health (MH) services and access to continuous care for transitional age youth (TAY) differ based on race/ethnicity or English proficiency. We conduct multi-variate analysis to estimate how socio-demographic factors impact the likelihood of receiving (1) non community-based mental health (CBMH) services, (2) one-time MH service over a 12 month period; and (3) crisis-stabilization services for White, Black, Hispanic or Asian/Pacific Islander (PI) youth whose age are between 18-24 in public MH system. Our preliminary findings indicate overall, TAY of color are no less likely to receive CBMH than their white counterparts. However, predictors of access to CBMH services among TAY vary by race/ethnicity or English language proficiency. Among Hispanics, being males and living in rural counties increase the odds of receiving 24 hour MH treatment and receiving crisis intervention. Among non-Hispanic Whites, rural residence is the key determinant of having inadequate access to CMMH services. Among African-Americans, being in child welfare contributes to better access to CBMH services. With the exception of Asian-Pacific Islanders, youth with limited English proficiency are more likely to discontinue mental health visit across racial/ethnic groups. Further, for some youth of color, Medicaid coverage is less predictive of adequate access to care; however, among non-English speakers, having Medicaid coverage is an important determinant of continuous care. These findings deserve further study and appropriate policy responses.