Perceived Barriers to Mental Health Services Among Youths in Detention

Abstract

Objective-To examine perceived barriers to mental health service use among male and female juvenile detainees.

Factors Associated with Mental Health Services Use among Disconnected African-American Young Adult Population

“…Research shows that among incarcerated youth, a belief that services are too difficult to access is one of the major barriers in help seeking, 43 and one reason for this is the fragmented nature of multiple health services within the community that leads to confusion. Thus, there is a need for the development of seamless mental healthcare facilities in the community, and identification and nurturing of the strengths inherent in this population.…”

Reunifying Families After an Out-of-Home Residential Stay: Evaluation of a Blended Intervention

“…However, only 35 % reported that they were actually providing family based reunification services (Allen et al 2010). Perhaps there are so few residential facilities delivering these services due to the barriers of providing successful reunification aftercare, including residential provider perceived lack of family engagement and lack of accessibility of services for families , the belief that problems will just ''go away'', and anxiety about the cost (Abram et al 2008).…”

Knowledge of and Attitudes Towards Behavioral Health Services Among Older Youth in the Foster Care System

“…In a longitudinal study of older foster youth, many participants stopped using services at age 19 due to a lack of perceived need for services, reporting that once the decision to seek mental health care was up to them they discontinued use (McMillen and Raghavan 2009). Another study reported barriers to services that are suggestive of low levels of behavioral health literacy among youth in detention, such as participant's views that mental health problems will go away on their own, that they do not need help, and, a lack of knowledge of where to go for help (Abram et al 2008). Abram et al (2008) also found that attitudes were similar across gender and race/ethnicity.…”

“…Another study reported barriers to services that are suggestive of low levels of behavioral health literacy among youth in detention, such as participant's views that mental health problems will go away on their own, that they do not need help, and, a lack of knowledge of where to go for help (Abram et al 2008). Abram et al (2008) also found that attitudes were similar across gender and race/ethnicity. Due to the scant literature on aspects of behavioral health literacy among system youth, the present study was also informed by the larger body of literacy research on mental health literacy.…”