Children's mental health service needs and utilization patterns in an urban community: an epidemiological assessment

J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1992 Sep;31(5):951-60. doi: 10.1097/00004583-199209000-00025.

Abstract

To assess children's mental health service needs and utilization patterns for a state planning effort, a cross-sectional survey that sampled 822 children aged 6 to 11 of a metropolitan center was conducted. When reports of parents and teachers were combined, 38.5% of children were screened to be at risk of psychiatric disturbance. Only 11% of children at risk received treatment in mental health settings, fewer than in schools (37%) or medical settings (13%). The findings illustrate the importance of interagency collaboration and the need to consider reports of parents and teachers and different dimensions of psychopathology in future planning and research.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Health Services Needs and Demand*
  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders / epidemiology
  • Mental Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Prevalence
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Urban Population