Prior Service Utilization in Detained Youth with Mental Health Needs

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence of mental health needs and rates of service utilization among youth detained in a metropolitan juvenile justice system in California. Of the 345 youth in the sample, 265 (76.8 %) qualified for high or acute mental health need and 210 (60.9 %) had at least one prior contact with mental health services. No differences in mental health need were found across ethnicities; however rates of prior service utilization significantly differed (χ(2) = 19.18, p < 0.001). Asian and Pacific Islander participants were less likely to have had prior contact with county services than any other ethnic group.

Mental Health and the Juvenile Justice System: Issues Related to Treatment and Rehabilitation

“…Thus, as states reduced the availability of public mental health services, delinquent acts by juveniles with mental health disorders likely increased as a result of the lack of treatment, resulting in juvenile justice facilities either having to become mental health providers or part of a mental health team. Kates, Gerber, and Casey (2014) suggest high prevalence rates of behavioral and emotional issues among incarcerated juveniles is due to the commonality of delinquency and mental health problems. Risk factors such as poverty (Chow, Jaffee, & Snowden, 2003), poor parenting (McLoyd, 1998), and impaired emotional regulation and impulse control (Knox, King, Hanna, Logan, & Ghaziuddin, 2000) are possible contributors to juvenile delinquency and to the development of mental health problems.…”

“…Even though prevalence rates of detainees with mental health disorders in the juvenile justice system are high, service access is generally low (Hoeve, McReynolds, & Wasserman, 2014). There are several reasons for the underutilization of services: lack of problem recognition, reluctance to seek help, and unavailability of service providers (Kates et al, 2014). According to Grisso (2008), problem recognition is often complicated by the difficulty of distinguishing between symptoms of disordered behavior and age appropriate behavior.…”

“…According to Grisso (2008), problem recognition is often complicated by the difficulty of distinguishing between symptoms of disordered behavior and age appropriate behavior. For example, Kates et al (2014) suggested that since parents often compare their children to other children, living in a community where delinquent behavior such as violence and vandalism are common may hinder parents' abilities to identify mental health problems in their children.…”

“…The decision to seek help is complex and influenced by an individual's perceptions and attitudes about mental health disorders and treatment (Kates et al, 2014). To better understand children/youths' perceptions and attitudes about the use of services, Abram et al, (2008) examined how detainees in correctional facilities viewed mental health services.…”

Your True Freedom

“…Other risk factors include certain personality characteristics such as poor self-control, neurocognitive deficits including hyperactivity problems and learning disabilities (with boys at greater risk for these than girls), child conduct/behavior problems, associating with delinquent peers, family factors and stresses such as living in a non-intact family/single parent household, parent loss, having a teen parent (Elkins et al, 1997;Henry et al, 1996;Krueger et al, 1994;Messer, Goodman, Rowe, Meltzer, & Maughan, 2006;Murray, Irving, Farrington, Colman, Bloxsom, 2010;Trzesniewski et al, 2006;Wright, Caspi, Moffitt, & Silva, 1999) and having a parent with a criminal history 2 (e.g., Chesney-Lind, 1997; Johnston, 1991;Kates, Gerber, & Casey, 2014;Messer et al, 2006;Mumola, 2000;Myers et al, 1999;Wasserman, 2000;Wilson & Howell, 1993). Studies similarly suggest that the main predictors of incarceration for males include the early background experiences of poverty, ethnic minority status, low maternal education/ unemployment, dysfunctional parenting (e.g., abusive, neglectful), growing up in a father-absent household, residential instability, early behavioral/conduct problems (including adolescent delinquency), poor academic ability and low educational attainment (including poor literacy and dropping out of high school), unemployment, and drug and alcohol abuse (e.g., Bailey & Hayes, 2006;Drakeford, 2002;Harper & McLanahan, 2004;Ou & Reynolds, 2010;Rogers-Adkinson et al, 2008;Rumbaut, 2005;Satterfield et al, 2007;Sourander et al, 2006;West, Denton, & Germano-Hausken, 2000;Wildeman & Western, 2010).…”