Mental health counseling and young injectors: Correlates of mental health care utilization in a high-risk population in San Francisco, CA

Background: Mental health disorders are prevalent in drug users, including depression and anxiety disorders, but less data is available with respect to young injection drug users (IDU), a hard-to-reach population that has limited access to health care. We examined self-reported mental health disorders and associated mental-health service utilization in a sample of young IDU in San Francisco. Methods: The UFO Study is a prospective study of young IDU (<30 years) in San Francisco, CA, assessing risk for HCV, and other health outcomes. Participants were asked if they had ever been diagnosed by a provider with a mental health disorder and whether they had recently received mental health counseling. Results: Among 212 young IDU (median age 25.5 years), 168 subjects (79%) reported a previous mental health diagnosis: 66% depression, 56% anxiety, 33% post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). About half of those with a previous diagnosis of depression (44%) and anxiety (49.5%), and 58.9% of those with a previous diagnosis for PTSD, reported recent counseling. Participants who reported a previous diagnosis were significantly more likely to report recent mental health counseling compared to those who did not. Conclusion: A high proportion of young IDU were previously diagnosed with a mental health issue, however, approximately half accessed counseling. Understanding the differences between those who access mental health care and those who do not will assist in targeted and timely interventions. To address the gap in research, the UFO Study has begun to systematically measure the prevalence of mental health disorders among young IDU.