Re-Accessing Community Mental Health Services for Children and Adolescents

J Behav Health Serv Res. 2020 Jan;47(1):21-37. doi: 10.1007/s11414-019-09668-2.

Abstract

A substantial number of children experience persistent or recurrent problems and may need more than one episode of care. However, there is a paucity of research on recurrent service use. The present study examined the rates and predictors of re-accessing community-based care. Secondary data analyses were conducted on administrative data from 5 mental health agencies in Ontario (N = 1802). Approximately a third (29.6%) of children who had an episode of care re-accessed services again within 4 years; the median time to re-access was 386 days or 12.68 months. Social content (e.g., age, parental marital status) and treatment system (e.g., spacing of visits) variables predicted re-accessing services, although predictors varied based on how services were re-accessed. A better understanding of the factors that influence recurrent service use may help mental health agencies better prepare for and facilitate this process for families.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Health Services / statistics & numerical data
  • Child
  • Child Health Services / statistics & numerical data
  • Child, Preschool
  • Community Mental Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Health Services Accessibility / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / therapy*
  • Ontario
  • Parents

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