Mental Health Treatment Utilization Research Articles

Confronting mental health stigma in Haitian Americans suffering from mental health challenges.

Haitian Americans have been disproportionately exposed to risk factors known to play a significant role in the development of mental illness. Yet despite the documented effectiveness of mental health treatment, a high proportion of Haitian Americans with mental health disorders have not received care. Internalized stigma of mental illness (ISMI) was reported as one of the primary reasons Haitian Americans do not seek help for mental illnesses, resulting in poor long-term outcomes for individuals and families in this community. This quality improvement project characterized ISMI among Haitian Americans, examined associated demographic factors, and tested the impact of a culturally relevant ISMI educational video intervention on willingness to seek mental health treatment. Haitian Americans who self-reported mental illness ( N = 20) were recruited from a South Florida clinic. Descriptive statistics, correlations, and thematic analyses were completed to analyze the data. Participants completed the nine-item ISMI scale, watched an educational video about ISMI, completed a post-intervention survey, and engaged in conversations about mental health and ISMI. Sixty-five percent of participants reported mild levels of ISMI. Sex was significantly correlated with ISMI ( r = -0.458, p = .042); male participants experienced higher levels of ISMI. The educational video improved participants' knowledge of ISMI, and 85% indicated increased willingness to seek treatment. When caring for Haitian Americans with mental illnesses, nurse practitioners should initiate conversations about ISMI, consider gender differences in mental illness beliefs and attitudes, and provide culturally responsive psychoeducational interventions to promote more mental health treatment utilization.

Mental Health Treatment Utilization and Unmet Mental Health Needs Among Black Reproductive-Age Women in the United States.

Black women in the United States experience increased risk for mental disorders and are less likely to have access to appropriate mental health treatment compared with White women. To develop culturally responsive strategies to improve Black women's access to mental health treatment, the authors evaluated social determinants associated with mental health treatment utilization and unmet mental health needs among Black reproductive-age women with serious psychological distress. The authors performed a secondary analysis of data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Data from 2009 to 2019 were pooled and restricted to Black women ages 18-44 years with serious psychological distress (N=4,171). Logistic regressions were conducted to identify personal and social determinants (e.g., education, employment status, poverty, and insurance status) of mental health treatment utilization, alternative mental health treatment utilization (e.g., spiritual support and self-help), and perceived unmet mental health needs. Education and employment status were significantly associated with all three outcomes. Among the women who reported unmet mental health needs, opposition to treatment and cost were the highest endorsed barriers. Differences were found by pregnancy status, with pregnant women being significantly less likely to endorse cost (p<0.001) and more likely to endorse time and transportation as barriers (p<0.01) to receiving mental health treatment. Strategies to improve mental health outcomes for Black women should focus on reducing cost and transportation barriers and on the development of culturally responsive intervention approaches that address Black women's concerns about mental health treatment.

Individual Trajectories of Specialist Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Treatment Utilization Among Young Adults With Substance Use Problems: A Cohort Study

Objective The aim of the study was to identify groups of young adults with distinct longitudinal patterns of use of treatment for substance use disorders and mental health (MH) problems and to investigate potential explanatory factors for different patterns of treatment use over time, including sociodemographic factors. Methods The sample consisted of 447 young adults aged 16–29 years who entered long-term residential substance use disorder treatment facilities in Norway from 2011 to 2016. In this study, we obtained data collected by the Norwegian Patient Registry and Statistics Norway. These data were linked with the electronic health record data of the substance use disorder treatment facilities from which the participants were recruited. Growth mixture modeling was performed. The identified groups were further compared using analysis of variance or χ 2 test. Results Four groups of participants for total treatment use, substance use disorder treatment use, and MH treatment use were identified. Most participants from the overall sample were classified as members of a group characterized by a low and stable pattern of treatment use over time. A group with a high and stable pattern of treatment use was identified in total and MH treatment use. The proportion of participants with higher levels of substance use disorder treatment use at the end of the study period than at the beginning was larger (35%) than in the case of MH treatment use (14.2%). Younger age was associated with a decreasing pattern of MH treatment use and with an increasing pattern of substance use disorder treatment use over time. There were larger proportions of female participants in groups with a stable high use of MH treatment and in groups with an initially increasing trend of substance use disorder treatment use. Findings revealed that most participants across the identified groups were recipients of welfare benefits, had low educational attainment, and were not working. Conclusions Results demonstrated significant variation in trajectories of treatment use among young adults with substance use disorder. Differences in treatment use could indicate differences in symptom severity and complexity. In this study, treatment use was associated with socioeconomic factors, sex, and age. Integrative approaches, including interagency and interdisciplinary collaboration, will often be necessary to sufficiently address the multidimensionality of substance use disorder.

Exploring patterns in mental health treatment and interests of single adults in the United States: a secondary data analysis.

The objective of this study is to examine mental health treatment utilization and interest among the large and growing demographic of single adults in the United States, who face unique societal stressors and pressures that may contribute to their heightened need for mental healthcare. We analyzed data from 3,453 single adults, focusing on those with possible mental health treatment needs by excluding those with positive self-assessments. We assessed prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of mental health treatment, including psychotherapy and psychiatric medication use, and interest in attending psychotherapy among participants who had never attended. 26% were in mental health treatment; 17% were attending psychotherapy, 16% were taking psychiatric medications, and 7% were doing both. Further, 64% had never attended psychotherapy, of which 35% expressed interest in future attendance. There were differences in current psychotherapy attendance and psychiatric medication use by gender and sexual orientation, with women and gay/lesbian individuals more likely to engage in both forms of mental health treatment. Additionally, interest in future psychotherapy among those who had never attended varied significantly by age, gender, and race. Younger individuals, women, and Black/African-American participants showed higher likelihoods of interest in psychotherapy. Our research highlights a critical gap in mental health treatment utilization among single adults who may be experiencing a need for those services. Despite a seemingly higher likelihood of engagement in mental health treatment compared to the general population, only a minority of single adults in our sample were utilizing mental health treatment. This underutilization and the observed demographic disparities in mental health treatment underscore the need for targeted outreach, personalized treatment plans, enhanced provider training, and policy advocacy to ensure equitable access to mental healthcare for single adults across sociodemographic backgrounds.

Perinatal anxiety disorders screening study: a study protocol

BackgroundThe anxiety and their related disorders (AD) are the most common of all mental health conditions, and affect approximately 20% of pregnant and postpartum people. They are associated with significant distress and life interference for sufferers, as well as negative consequences for fetal and infant development. At present, little if any routine screening for prenatal AD is being conducted and data regarding the most effective tools to screen for these disorders is lacking. The majority of screening studies suffer from methodological difficulties which undermine the confidence needed to recommend measures for population distribution. The primary purpose of this research is to identify the most accurate self-report tool(s) to screen for perinatal AD.MethodsA large, prospective cohort of pregnant people (N = 1,000) is being recruited proportionally across health service delivery regions in British Columbia (BC). The screening accuracy of a broad range of perinatal AD self-report measures are being assessed using gold standard methodology. Consenting individuals are administered online questionnaires followed by a semi-structured diagnostic interview between 16- and 36-weeks’ gestation, and again between 6 and 20 weeks postpartum. Questionnaires include all screening measures, measures of sleep and unpaid family work, and questions pertaining to demographic and reproductive history, COVID-19, gender role burden, and mental health treatment utilization. Interviews assess all current anxiety disorders, as well as obsessive–compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder.DiscussionThis research is in response to an urgent demand for accurate perinatal AD screening tools based on high quality evidence. AD among perinatal people often go unidentified and untreated, resulting in continued suffering and life impairment. Findings from this research will inform healthcare providers, policymakers, and scientists, about the most effective approach to screening for anxiety and related disorders in pregnancy in the postpartum period.

Mental health treatment utilization patterns among 108,457 Afghanistan and Iraq veterans with depression.

People with depression often underutilize mental health care. This study was conceived as a first step toward a clinical decision support tool that helps identify patients who are at higher risk of underutilizing care. The primary goals were to (a) describe treatment utilization patterns, early termination, and return to care; (b) identify factors associated with early termination of treatment; and (c) evaluate the accuracy of regression models to predict early termination. These goals were evaluated in a retrospective cohort analysis of 108,457 U.S. veterans who received care from the Veterans Health Administration between 2001 and 2021. Our final sample was 16.5% female with an average age of 34.5. Veterans were included if they had a depression diagnosis, a positive depression screen, and received general health care services at least a year before and after their depression diagnosis. Using treatment quality guidelines, the threshold for treatment underutilization was defined as receiving fewer than four psychotherapy sessions or less than 84 days of antidepressants. Over one fifth of veterans (21.6%) received less than the minimally recommended care for depression. The odds of underutilizing treatment increased with lack of Veterans Administration benefits, male gender, racial/ethnic minority status, and having received mental health treatment in the past (adjusted OR > 1.1). Posttraumatic stress disorder comorbidity correlated with increased depression treatment utilization (adjusted OR < .9). Models with demographic and clinical information from medical records performed modestly in classifying patients who underutilized depression treatment (area under the curve = 0.595, 95% CI [0.588, 0.603]). Most veterans in this cohort received at least the minimum recommended treatment for depression. To improve the prediction of underutilization, patient factors associated with treatment underutilization likely need to be supplemented by additional clinical information. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Mental health treatment utilization among Gulf War era veterans with probable alcohol use disorder

IntroductionAlcohol use disorder (AUD) is prevalent among veterans, and excessive alcohol use is associated with significant mental and physical health consequences. Currently, the largest cohort of veterans seeking services at the VA are those from the 1990s Gulf War Era. This cohort of veterans is unique due to the nature of their deployment resulting in a myriad of unexplained symptoms collectively known as “Gulf War Illness” and higher rates of mental health problems. The present study sought to examine the association between probable AUD and mental health treatment utilization in a sample of 1126 (882 male) Gulf War-era veterans. MethodsVeterans completed a self-report survey including the AUDIT-C, questions about mental health treatment engagement, and demographic questions. ResultsResults demonstrated that approximately 20 % of the sample screened positive for probable AUD, determined by standard AUDIT-C cutoff scores. Among those screening positive for AUD, 25 % reported engaging in mental health treatment in the past year. Veterans with probable AUD who use VA care had 3.8 times the odds of receiving mental health services than veterans not using VA care. Use of mental health services was associated with mental health comorbidity and identifying as Black/African American. ConclusionsThe results of the present study highlight a significant unmet need for mental health treatment among Gulf War-era veterans with AUD.

Psychotherapy Expectations and Preferences Among Black and White Undergraduate Women

ABSTRACT Mental health treatment utilization is low among Black undergraduate women, despite the prevalence of mental health stressors and difficulties. The consideration of pre-treatment preferences and expectations may help address this disparity. The current study is an attempted replication and extension of prior findings demonstrating race-based differences in preferences and expectations. The sample consisted of 369 undergraduate women (Black:35.2%, White:64.8%; Mage = 21.59 [SD = 6.21]). Responses to several self-report questionnaires were compared across racial groups demonstrating several small-sized differences. For example, Black women had stronger expectations and preferences for most or all therapy sessions to involve venting, getting advice, and learning about mental health and new skills. Additionally, Black participants had stronger preferences for emotional intensity in treatment. Individuals are more likely to engage with treatment when their views are considered and these findings can encourage conversations about these perspectives and tailored treatment approaches with Black undergraduate women.

Patient Attitudes and Perceived Barriers Toward Mental Health Treatment Options in a Rural Student-Run Clinic.

Background While the prevalence of mental health conditions is similar in rural areas and non-rural areas, access to mental health care is more limited in rural areas. Patient attitudes toward specific mental health treatment options in rural populations have been understudied. Some previous studies indicate potential positive outcomes using osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) as an adjunct for mental health care. Physicians using OMT are more heavily represented in rural areas. Hence, understanding the mental health treatment needs and option preferences of the rural could inform policies that increase underserved population's access to various mental health treatment modalities including OMT. This study aims to characterize patient attitudes toward, beliefs regarding, and perceived barriers to treatment options for mental health treatment, access, and care in a rural, underserved clinical setting. Methods Adult patients attending a single outpatient rural clinic over a four-month period in 2022 were screened for participation. The survey consisted of Likert scale graded questions about mental health treatment options, access, knowledge, and perceived barriers including qualitative questions about OMTs. Versions of the survey were created in English and Spanish languages. Results Out of 46 respondents, 25 were English-speaking and 21 were Spanish-speaking. The most popular mental health treatments by respondents were indicated as therapy, spiritual guidance, and modifying diet and exercise. Considering barriers to care, 61% of respondents indicated cost of treatment as a logistical barrier. Finally, 80.5% of respondents did not have a good understanding of OMT. Conclusions The knowledge and understanding of patients' perceived attitudes and barriers toward mental health care, inclusive of OMT, can provide insight to clinicians to improve patient outcomes and guide efforts in overcoming barriers to increase and expand mental health treatment availability and utilization by patients.

1.23 Mental Health Treatment Utilization Trends in the Pediatric and Transitional-Age Population

1.23 Mental Health Treatment Utilization Trends in the Pediatric and Transitional-Age Population

Rural Veterans with HIV and Alcohol Use Disorder receive less video telehealth than urban Veterans.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is highly prevalent among Veterans with HIV. Rural Veterans with HIV are at especially high risk for not receiving appropriate treatment. This retrospective cohort cross-sectional study aimed to investigate patterns of mental health treatment utilization across delivery modality among Veterans diagnosed with HIV and AUD. It was hypothesized that rural Veterans with HIV and AUD would receive a lower rate of mental health treatment delivered via video telehealth than urban Veterans with HIV and AUD. A national Veterans Health Association administrative database was used to identify a cohort of Veterans diagnosed with HIV and AUD (N = 2,075). Geocoding was used to categorize rural Veterans (n = 246) and urban Veterans (n = 1,829). Negative binomial regression models tested associations between rurality and mental health treatment delivered via face-to-face, audio-only, and video telehealth modalities. Results demonstrated that rural Veterans with HIV and AUD received fewer mental health treatment sessions delivered via telehealth than urban Veterans with HIV and AUD (incidence rate ratio = 0.62; 95% confidence intervals [0.44, 0.87]; P < .01). No differences were found in terms of treatment delivered face-to-face or by audio-only. Rural Veterans with HIV and AUD represent a vulnerable subpopulation of Veterans who may most benefit from video telehealth. Efforts to increase access and improve the uptake of evidence-based mental health treatment delivered via video telehealth are needed.

Heterogeneity in Unmet Treatment Need and Barriers to Accessing Mental Health Services Among U.S. Military Service Members with Serious Psychological Distress.

The goal of the current study is to examine heterogeneity in mental health treatment utilization, perceived unmet treatment need, and barriers to accessing care among U.S. military members with probable need for treatment. Using data from the 2018 Department of Defense Health Related Behavior Survey, we examined a subsample of 2,336 respondents with serious psychological distress (SPD; past-year K6 score ≥ 13) and defined four mutually exclusive groups based on past-year mental health treatment (treated, untreated) and self-perceived unmet treatment need (recognized, unrecognized). We used chi-square tests and adjusted regression models to compare groups on sociodemographic factors, impairment (K6 score; lost work days), and endorsement of treatment barriers. Approximately 43% of respondents with SPD reported past-year treatment and no unmet need (Needs Met). The remainder (57%) met criteria for unmet need: 18% endorsed treatment and recognized unmet need (Treated/Additional Need); 7% reported no treatment and recognized unmet need (Untreated/Recognized Need); and 32% reported no treatment and no unmet need (Untreated/Unrecognized Need). Compared to other groups, those with Untreated/Unrecognized Need tended to be younger (ages 18-24; p = 0.0002) and never married (p = 0.003). The Treated/Additional Need and Untreated/Recognized Need groups showed similar patterns of treatment barrier endorsement, whereas the Untreated/Unrecognized Need group endorsed nearly all barriers at lower rates. Different strategies may be needed to increase appropriate mental health service use among different subgroups of service members with unmet treatment need, particularly those who may not self-perceive need for treatment.

"Something very taboo": a qualitative exploration of beliefs, barriers, and recommendations for improving mental health care and access for Hispanic adults in the Paso del Norte U.S.-Mexico border region.

Hispanic adults with mental health conditions in the United States experience disproportionate access to and utilization of professional mental health treatment. This is believed to be in part due to systemic barriers and challenges, difficulty accessing care, cultural factors, and stigma. Studies to date have failed to examine these specific factors within the unique context of the Paso del Norte U.S.-Mexico border region. For this study, 25 Hispanic adults identifying primarily of Mexican descent participated in four focus groups exploring these topics. Three groups were facilitated in Spanish and one group in both English and Spanish. Focus groups followed a semi-structured format eliciting perspectives on mental health and mental illness, help-seeking, barriers and facilitators of help-seeking and treatment access, and recommendations for mental health agencies and providers. Qualitative data analysis yielded the following themes: understanding of mental health and help-seeking; barriers to accessing care; mental health treatment facilitators; and recommendations for agencies, providers, and researchers. Findings from this study support the need for innovative mental health engagement strategies to reduce stigma, increase understanding of mental health, foster support systems, reduce individual and systemic barriers to seeking and accessing care, and to continue to engage communities in mental health outreach and research.

Conducting Ethical, Antiracist Mental Health Research with Children and Adolescents

ABSTRACT The prevalence of mental health challenges in the United States continues to rise in children and adolescents. Despite increasing rates, mental health treatment utilization remains low, particularly for youth of color. Considering the experiences of oppression, racism, and discrimination against youth of color, coupled with systematic inequalities illuminated by COVID, mental health risks are further exacerbated. These factors highlight the need for mental health interventions that address the unique experiences of minoritized children and adolescents. Because research informs practice, it is essential for researchers to work toward dismantling oppression through antiracist research. Thus, this article provides guidelines and considerations for conducting antiracist mental health research with youth of color.

Understanding predictors of mental health and substance use treatment utilization among US adults: A repeated cross-sectional study

BackgroundUnderstanding discrepancies in mental health and substance use treatment utilization can help identify inequities in access to health services. We investigate mental health and substance use treatment utilization as function of demographic and social determinants, as well as pre-existing mental health and substance use disorders. MethodsIn this repeated cross-sectional study, we used the 2017–2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data on US adults above age 18. Two logistic regression models were conducted, using predictors of age, gender, race/Hispanicity, sexual identity, education, insurance, family income, and past year mental health and substance use disorders, with outcomes of mental health or substance use treatment utilization. Weighted estimates of substance use disorders and insurance types and Pearson's correlation tests of vulnerability among age, gender, and treatment type were reported. FindingsRacial minorities, uninsured populations, sexual minorities, and females had lower odds of receiving mental health treatment, while older populations, lower income groups, and dual eligible enrollees had higher odds. Individuals with substance use disorders but no mental illness had higher odds of receiving mental health treatment. Those utilizing mental health treatment were mostly of high income, privately insured, and using cannabis, cocaine, and opioids. Older populations, men, and Medicaid only enrollees had higher odds of receiving substance use disorder treatment, whereas racial minorities had lower odds. Distribution of income, insurance type, and substance use were more widespread than mental health treatment. InterpretationMental health treatment can be used as an avenue for substance use treatment, particularly opioid use disorders. It is important to target vulnerable populations, like racial minorities and uninsured populations to improve access to mental health and substance use treatment.

Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders and Treatment Utilization among Urban Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender American Indians and Alaska Natives.

We examined prevalence of mental health treatment utilization among 447 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and Two-Spirit (LGBTT-S) American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) adults and the association of mental health treatment utilization with socio-demographic factors, social support, and mental health diagnoses. We derived data from the HONOR Project, a multi-site cross-sectional survey of Native LGBTT-S adults from seven U.S. metropolitan cities. Rates of lifetime mental health treatment utilization were higher for women (87%), those who were college educated (84%), and homeowners (92%). Cisgender women and transgender AI/AN adults had a higher prevalence than cisgender men of major depression, generalized anxiety, and panic disorder. Rates of subthreshold and threshold posttraumatic stress disorder were significantly higher for transgender adults. Lower positive social support and higher emotional social support were associated with greater odds of mental health treatment utilization. Mental health diagnoses and lifetime mental health treatment utilization was positively associated.

A Randomized Clinical Trial of Clinician-Supported PTSD Coach in VA Primary Care Patients.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common in primary care patients; however, evidence-based treatments are typically only available in specialty mental healthcare settings and often not accessed. To test the effectiveness of a brief primary care-based treatment, Clinician-Supported PTSD Coach (CS PTSD Coach) was compared with Primary Care Mental Health Integration-Treatment as Usual (PCMHI-TAU) in (1) reducing PTSD severity, (2) engaging veterans in specialty mental health care, and (3) patient satisfaction with care. Multi-site randomized pragmatic clinical trial. A total of 234 veterans with PTSD symptoms who were not currently accessing PTSD treatment. CS PTSD Coach was designed to be implemented in Veterans Affairs PCMHI and combines mental health clinician support with the "PTSD Coach" mobile app. Four 30-min sessions encourage daily use of symptom management strategies. PTSD severity was measured by clinician-rated interviews pre- and post-treatment (8weeks). Self-report measures assessed PTSD, depression, and quality of life at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 16- and 24-week follow-ups, and patient satisfaction at post-treatment. Mental healthcare utilization was extracted from medical records. Clinician-rated PTSD severity did not differ by condition at post-treatment. CS PTSD Coach participants improved more on patient-reported PTSD severity at post-treatment than TAU participants (D = .28, p = .021). Coach participants who continued to have problematic PTSD symptoms at post-treatment were not more likely to engage in 2 sessions of specialty mental health treatment than TAU participants. Coach participants engaged in 74% more sessions in the intervention and reported higher treatment satisfaction than TAU participants (p < .001). A structured 4-session intervention designed to align with patient preferences for care resulted in more patient-reported PTSD symptom relief, greater utilization of mental health treatment, and overall treatment satisfaction than TAU, but not more clinician-rated PTSD symptom relief or engagement in specialty mental health.

Comparing Behavioral Health Outcomes and Treatment Utilization of Those With and Without Justice Involvement Within the Past Year Among American Indian and Alaska Native Adults.

Similar to other populations, worse health, increased emergency healthcare utilization, and heightened substance misuse are correlated with higher justice involvement among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. The historical context and resulting contemporary injustices for AI/AN populations have directly contributed to higher rates of these health and behavioral health conditions among this population. As a result, AI/AN individuals have disproportionate rates of incarceration in the USA, with young AI/AN males having the highest odds of incarceration when compared to any other group. American Indian and Alaska Native populations are overrepresented in the criminal justice system across different touchpoints. However, there remains a scarcity of data and research on AI/AN peoples' involvement with the justice system, and what their lives look like prior to, during, and after justice involvement. The current study addresses this gap in the literature by exploring rates of substance use and mental health diagnoses and treatment utilization among justice-involved and non-justice-involved AI/AN samples. Further, we examined correlates associated with past-year service utilization. Data from the 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (N = 214,505 adults aged 18+) was used. For this study, we examined a subsample of 3068 AI/AN adults. Quantitative data analyses using STATA 16 were run to test for differences on service utilization, mental health status, and substance misuse between AI/AN non-justice-involved and justice-involved samples. Among adults in the sample, 446 (15%) reported justice involvement in the past year. Justice-involved AI/AN individuals were significantly more likely to use the emergency department, utilize mental health treatment, and access substance use treatment in the past year. Additionally, justice-involved AI/AN individuals reported significantly higher rates of mental illness and past-year substance use disorder. In regression models, justice involvement was significantly associated with past-year substance use treatment and past-year mental health treatment. The findings from this work highlight the differences among substance use, mental illness, and treatment utilization between justice-involved and non-justice-involved AI/AN individuals. Findings suggest that justice-involved individuals fair worse in all areas and argue for the consideration of interventions that incorporate both culturally sensitive and justice-responsive models to improve the behavioral health outcomes of these populations. Lastly, while justice-involved AI/AN populations utilize treatment services at higher and disproportionate levels, there is reason to believe that there continues to be a mismatch of need and utilization and further exploration is warranted.

Stop Asian hate: The mental health impact of racial discrimination among Asian Pacific Islander young and emerging adults during COVID-19

BackgroundThe rapid surge in anti-API discrimination and assault during the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to exacerbate mental health disparities already pervasive among API populations. The primary of this study was to understand the impact of the pandemic and COVID-related discrimination on API college and university student mental health. MethodsSecondary data was used from three administrations (Fall 2019, Spring 2020, and Fall 2020) of the Healthy Minds Study (HMS). We conducted Chi-square analyses to analyze differences in mental health symptoms across the three academic semesters. Cross-sectional multivariable logistic regression models were utilized to examine the association between COVID-related discrimination and mental health symptoms and help-seeking behavior during Spring 2020 and Fall 2020. ResultsComparing Fall 2019 to Fall 2020, we found that API students reported a 17 % increase in severe depression and a 30 % increase in severe anxiety. Mental health treatment utilization among those experiencing clinically-significant mental health problems decreased by 26 % between Fall 2019 and Spring 2020. COVID-related discrimination was associated with greater odds of severe depression in both Spring 2020. LimitationsHMS does not include a random sample of campuses as schools themselves elect to participate. Analyses rely on self-report data. ConclusionsThroughout the COVID-19 pandemic, API students reported significant increases in clinically-significant mental health symptoms and decreases in treatment utilization. Our analyses also suggest that COVID-related discrimination is correlated with greater odds of clinically-significant mental health symptoms, including severe depression and severe anxiety, as well as lower odds of treatment utilization.

Geographic Variation in Mental Health Treatment Utilization: Evidence from Migration

Geographic Variation in Mental Health Treatment Utilization: Evidence from Migration