Use of Mental Health Services by Children With Mental Disorders in Two Major Cities in Brazil

What is it about?

Even though mental disorders affect 13% of children and adolescent, only half of them receive any treatment. The authors investigated lifetime mental health service use in children diagnosed with mental disorders in two major cities in Brazil as well as characteristics associated with unmet needs. They found 81% of the children with mental disorders did not receive mental health treatment in the past. The majority of cases were being treated with psychotherapy and a combination of psychotherapy/medication. Being a mixed race child was associated with unmet needs when compared to white race. The high rate of unmet needs of children with mental disorders is alarming and should be addressed with strategies to improve access to the health system and campaigns to enhance awareness about youth mental disorders. National primary care programs could play an important role in reaching this vulnerable group of children.

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