Adolescents’ use of school-based health centers and receipt of mental health supports

Abstract

• School-based health centers (SBHCs) increase youth’s receipt of mental health care. • Youth who use SBHCs are more likely to talk to health providers about mental health. • Female SBHC users are more likely than male SBHC users to receive mental health care. School-based health centers (SBHCs) are well situated to support students’ mental health needs because they provide crisis intervention, mental health care, and broader interventions to improve school climate. This study examined the association between urban adolescents’ use of SBHCs and their receipt of mental health supports. Data were analyzed from 3,909 high school students attending 10 urban schools with SBHCs in one California county using the 2016–2017 California Healthy Kids Survey. Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression were used to measure associations. Effect modification by student gender and race/ethnicity was examined. Female SBHC users were significantly more likely to report receiving mental health counseling when needed (Adjusted Odds Ratio/AOR 1.86; 95% Confidence Interval/CI: 1.55, 2.23) and to report having a caring relationship with an adult at school (AOR 1.66; 95% CI: 1.47, 1.89) compared to female non-users. Differences were not found between male users and non-users. SBHC users were more likely than non-users to report having talked to a doctor or nurse about their moods and feelings (AOR 1.65; 95% CI: 1.19, 2.27) and about how school is going (AOR 1.76; 95% CI: 1.30, 2.38). Findings suggest that SBHCs may be an important place to address students’ mental health needs.