title: US patterns of mental health service utilization for transition-age youth and young adults.
abstract: This study examines rates of admission and patterns of mental health service use by persons of transition age (16-25 years) in the USA based on the nationally representative 1997 Client/Patient Sample Survey and population data from the US Census Bureau. A precipitous decline in utilization was observed at the age of emancipation: the yearly admission rate for inpatient, outpatient, and residential services was 34 per 1,000 for 16- and 17-year-olds and 18 per 1,000 for 18- and 19-year-olds. Among 20- and 21-year-olds, more were referred from criminal justice and fewer from family or friends and social services, and proportionately more were Medicaid recipients. Targeting resources to enhance shared planning between child and adult systems may facilitate continuity of care for young adult clients who are aging out of child mental health systems, as well as for those who experience their first episodes of mental disorder in early adulthood.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work and Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers University, 536 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA. pottick@rci.rutgers.edu
authors.forename: Kathleen J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Pottick
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bilder
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vander Stoep
authors.forename: Lynn A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Warner
authors.forename: Mike F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Alvarez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012114:Residential Treatment; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult