Factors Associated with Use of Mental Health Services for Depressed and/or Suicidal Youth Aged 15–24

Abstract

Using data from a national survey, this study examined different factors and their association with mental health service use in youth aged 15–24 with depression and/or suicidality. Our sample consisted of 1,252 youth with depression and/or suicidality. In youth aged 15–18 years old, two factors influenced service use: (1) co-occurrence of depression and suicidality (OR 3.23, 95% CI 1.43, 7.32) and (2) chronic health condition (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.22, 4.84). Several factors were associated with service use in youth aged 19–24 including gender (female) (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.14, 2.76), and low income (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.11, 3.23). The findings suggest differences in the factors associated with mental health service use between youth aged 15–18 and 19–24 with depression and/or suicidality.