Adolescence Explored: Mental Health and Substance Abuse in an Underserved Population

The Surgeon General's Conference on Children's Mental Health held in 2000 brought attention to the fact that children and adolescents with mental health and substance abuse problems are an underserved population. Rates of psychiatric disorders are high among this population, yet very few adolescents who need help actually receive it. A comprehensive literature review was undertaken to examine various aspects of adolescent health, including rates of mental health and substance abuse as well as treatment and mental health service utilization among this population. Barriers to care are discussed, with emphasis on gender, ethnicity, psychiatric diagnosis, treatment setting, and parental influences. In the past, the specialty mental health care sector has been relied on to provide treatment for adolescents. This thesis examines school-based mental health services, and Student Assistance Programs in particular, as alternatives to treatment for the adolescent population. School-based clinics have the potential to reduce some barriers to care, hence increasing rates of care for adolescents with mental health and substance abuse problems. Other recommendations to reduce barriers to care and increase rates of treatment are presented. Mental health and substance abuse have a significant impact on the health of the nation. These disorders cause or exacerbate numerous health problems, including cancer and heart disease. In 1996, mental health problems cost the United States $150 billion in direct and indirect costs (USDHHS, 2000). The relevance of public health in this thesis is exemplified by the potential of public health to decrease the health consequences associated with these disorders by working to increase rates of treatment