Use of Mental Health Services by Children Ages Six to 11 With Emotional or Behavioral Difficulties

Abstract

Objective The authors reported use of mental health services among children in the United States between ages six and 11 who were described by their parents as having emotional or behavioral difficulties (EBDs). Methods Using data from the 2010–2012 National Health Interview Survey, the authors estimated the national percentage of children ages six to 11 with serious or minor EBDs (N=2,500) who received treatment for their difficulties, including only mental health services other than medication (psychosocial services), only medication, both psychosocial services and medication, and neither type of service. They calculated the percentage of children who received school-based and non–school-based psychosocial services in 2011–2012 and who had unmet need for psychosocial services in 2010–2012. Results In 2010–2012, 5.8% of U.S. children ages six to 11 had serious EBDs and 17.3% had minor EBDs. Among children with EBDs, 17.8% were receiving both medication and psychosocial services, 28.8% psychosocial services only, 6.8% medication only, and 46.6% neither medication nor psychosocial services. Among children with EBDs in 2011–2012, 18.6% received school-based psychosocial services only, 11.4% non–school-based psychosocial services only, and 17.3% both school- and non–school-based psychosocial services. In 2010–2012, 8.2% of children with EBDs had unmet need for psychosocial services. Conclusions School-age children with EBDs received a range of mental health services, but nearly half received neither medication nor psychosocial services. School-based providers played a role in delivering psychosocial services, but parents reported an unmet need for psychosocial services among some children.

Caregiver Perspectives During the Post Inpatient Hospital Transition: A Mixed Methods Approach

“…A quarter of the children (23.2 %) of the children had experienced a hospitalization in the prior 3 months. Our service utilization findings are similar to a recent national study indicating that 81.8 % of school-age children with a serious EBD were receiving either psychosocial services, medication management, or both (Simon et al 2015). …”

Point Prevalence of Co-Occurring Behavioral Health Conditions and Associated Chronic Disease Burden Among Adolescents

“…Pediatric clinicians not well trained in assessment of behavioral health conditions might be inclined to overdiagnose patients presenting with emotional distress. However, it is well known that many patients, both pediatric and adult, never seek care for behavioral conditions, and thus these conditions are never diagnosed, 36,37 so the BHC point prevalence that we found may actually underestimate the true point prevalence of BHCs among adolescents in this population. Moreover, in previous studies in this health system that examined primary care provider behaviors and attitudes toward identifying adolescent behavioral health conditions, we have found primary care providers in particular to be cautious about diagnosing psychiatric and SUDs in adolescents.…”

Prevalence of Psychiatric Symptoms and Mental Health Services in Students with Specific Learning Disabilities in Tehran, Iran

“…In the United States, Simon, Pastor, Reuben, Huang, and Goldstrom's study indicated that 5.8% of school-aged children had serious psychiatric disorders, and 17.3% had minor disorders (2015). Among these children, 17.8% were receiving both medication and psychosocial (psychological and rehabilitative) services, 28.8% psychosocial services only, 6.8% medication only, and 46.6% neither medication nor psychosocial services (Simon et al, 2015). Therefore, received treatment services students with SLD in Tehran is not at optimal levels.…”