Children's mental health service needs and utilization patterns in an urban community: an epidemiological assessment.
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.
Zahner
G E
GE
Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115.
Pawelkiewicz
W
W
DeFrancesco
J J
JJ
Adnopoz
J
J
D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population