Predictors of mental health service utilization among Minnesota high school students.

Abstract

Mental health is an essential component of young peoples' overall health and wellbeing. Untreated, mental health problems interfere with normal development and functioning. Unfortunately, for most adolescents with mental health problems, the overwhelming majority will not receive the supports and services they need. By merging two extant databases, this study provides Minnesota's first state-wide assessment of mental health utilization. Patterns of utilization are provided. Findings indicate that 7% of Minnesota high school students utilized mental health services during a 12-month period. In addition, Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Care Utilization was utilized to examine predictors of mental health utilization. Various predisposing, enabling, need variables were found to be significant predictors of mental health utilization. Finally, the study examined school-based mental health in the context of an enabling variable. Findings suggest that students from schools with greater mental health promotion and prevention efforts are less likely to utilize mental health supports and services.