Can better mental health services reduce the risk of juvenile justice system involvement?
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated how improved mental health services affect justice involvement among juveniles treated in the public mental health system.


METHODS
Our analyses were based on administrative and interview data collected in 2 communities participating in the evaluation of a national initiative designed to improve mental health services for children and youths.


RESULTS
Results derived from Cox proportional hazard models suggested that better mental health services reduced the risks of initial and subsequent juvenile justice involvement by 31% and 28%, respectively. Effects were somewhat more pronounced for serious offenses.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that improved mental health services reduce the risk of juvenile justice involvement.
Foster
E Michael
EM
Department of Health Policy and Administration, Pennsylvania State University, 114 Henderson Building, University Park, PA 16801, USA. emfoster@psu.edu
Qaseem
Amir
A
Connor
Tim
T
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D014481:United States