Utilization of Mental Health Services in School‐Based Health Centers. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bains, Ranbir M.; Cusson, Regina; White‐Frese, Jesse; Walsh, Stephen
• Is Part Of: Journal of school health. Volume 87:Number 8(2017:Aug.)
• Page Start: 584
• Page End: 592
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: school‐based clinics -- mental health -- school‐based health centers -- mental health services -- child and adolescent health; School health services -- Periodicals; School children -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; School Health Services -- Periodicals; Health Education -- Periodicals; 371.71
• DOI: 10.1111/josh.12528
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4391

Abstract

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: We summarize utilization patterns for mental health services in school‐based health centers. METHODS: Administrative data on school‐based health center visits in New Haven, Connecticut were examined for the 2007‐2009 school years. Relative frequencies of mental health visits by age were calculated as a percentage of all visits and were stratified by sex, ethnicity/race, and insurance status. RESULTS: Mental health visits accounted for the highest proportion of visits (31.8%). The proportion of mental health visits was highest at 8 years (42.8%) and at 13 years (39.0%). The proportion of mental health visits among boys (38.4%) was higher than among girls (26.7%). Hispanic students had a lower proportion of mental health visits than black students (23.5% vs 35.8%) in all but 2 age groups. Students in the white/other ethnicity category had higher proportions of mental health visits than Hispanic and black students between ages 12 and 15. Students with no health insurance (22.5%) had lower proportions of mental health visits than students covered by Medicaid (34.3%) or private insurance (33.9%). The percentage of mental health visits by students with private insurance was highest (37.2%‐49%) in the 13‐15 age range. CONCLUSIONS: Usage patterns for mental health issues show pronounced, nonrandom variation relative to age and other demographic characteristics especially with 8‐year‐old boys.