What is it about?
This study explores how children and youth use mental health services in a large system implementing multiple evidence-based practices (EBPs). By analyzing over 5.6 million mental health claims across 8 years, the research identifies three distinct patterns of care: standard EBP care, less EBP care, and repeated/chronic care. The study highlights factors like age, language, diagnosis, and caregiver involvement that influence these patterns and provides a detailed look at how services align—or fail to align—with evidence-based standards.
Featured Image
Photo by Marcel Strauß on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Mental health service gaps affect many youth, especially those from diverse racial, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds. This study identifies opportunities to optimize care delivery, particularly for underserved groups, such as Spanish-speaking youth and those with complex mental health needs. It emphasizes the need to improve access, increase the delivery of evidence-based practices, and tailor care to better meet the needs of adolescents and transition-aged youth.
Perspectives
This research underscores the importance of understanding how children and families interact with mental health systems. By identifying gaps and opportunities in care, we can inform strategies to enhance service delivery and equity in access to evidence-based treatments. We hope this work inspires continued efforts to reduce disparities, ensure effective care, and improve mental health outcomes for youth, particularly those from underserved populations.
Dr. Alejandro L. Vázquez
University of Tennessee Knoxville
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Patterns of Child Mental Health Service Utilization Within a Multiple EBP System of Care, Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, November 2021, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/s10488-021-01179-7.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
