Category: Dissemination & Implementation Science
Briana Last, M.A.
Doctoral Candidate
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jessica Schleider, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)
Assistant Professor
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, New York
Jenna Sung, M.A.
PhD Student
Stony Brook University
Queens, New York
Danielle Adams, MSW
PhD Candidate
The University of Chicago, Crown Family School of Social Work
Chicago, Illinois
Chantelle Roulston, PhD
Lab Coordinator
Stony Brook University
Rockaway Beach, Queens, New York
Allison Bair, Ph.D.
University of Denver
Denver, Colorado
Briana Last, M.A.
Doctoral Candidate
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Most U.S. children and adolescents with a mental health disorder cannot access mental health services, let alone evidence-based treatments (Bruns et al., 2016). Once youth do access mental health services, many face significant barriers that result in premature termination or minimal treatment engagement (Owens et al., 2002). Further, evidence-based treatments for youth require substantial caregiver involvement, posing challenges for under-resourced and historically marginalized families. During the COVID-19 pandemic, inequality intensified and mental health disorders increased, creating additional barriers to accessing and engaging in care (Angelopoulos et al., 2021; Samji et al., 2021). As demand for mental health services grows and continues to outpace mental health care supply, a better understanding of the hidden and structural barriers to youth accessing and engaging in evidence-based mental health treatment is needed. Consistent with the convention’s focus on health emergency preparedness, this symposium presents a range of mixed-methods investigations conducted during the pandemic that examine key barriers to youth accessing and engaging in mental health services.
First, we will present evidence from a national mixed methods study with 211 adolescents participating in a single-session mental health intervention trial. Adolescents were asked about their perceived barriers to accessing mental health services and indicated that caregiver treatment involvement is a significant barrier to mental health care access.
Second, we will present findings from a “mystery shopper” study conducted in Chicago examining structural barriers to trauma-informed mental health care services. Three hired voice actresses, posing as mothers of adolescents exposed to a traumatic event, called public outpatient mental health agencies (N=229) to schedule an appointment. In fewer than 1 in 5 calls, pseudo mothers could schedule appointments for their adolescent child.
Third, we will present survey results from 470 sexual minority youth of Color (SMYoC) examining associations between state-level indicators of social inequities and youth reported access to mental health care during COVID-19. SMYoC were less likely to access mental health care in states with greater mental health provider shortages, whereas SMYoC living in less oppressive states were more likely to access services.
Fourth, we will present data on barriers to crisis service use among 131 Black American young adults experiencing mental health crises. Participants completed open-ended items assessing harmful experiences with crisis services and provided recommendations for improvement. Interpersonal mistreatment and disrespect were barriers to accessing crisis services.
Fifth, we will present data on youth outcomes (N = 205) from an effectiveness trial of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) in Philadelphia’s public mental health clinics. The study examines TF-CBT effectiveness, as well as whether social inequities moderate treatment outcomes or predict caregiver engagement in treatment.
The discussant is a nationally recognized expert in developing strategies to improve access to mental health care for youth.
Presenter: Jenna Sung, M.A. – Stony Brook University
Co-author: Vanesa Mora Ringle, Ph.D. – Lehigh University
Co-author: Chantelle Roulston, PhD – Stony Brook University
Co-author: Jessica L. Schleider, Ph.D. – Stony Brook University
Presenter: Danielle R. Adams, MSW – The University of Chicago, Crown Family School of Social Work
Co-author: Danielle R. Adams, MSW – The University of Chicago, Crown Family School of Social Work
Co-author: Nancy Jacquelyn Perez-Flores, MSW – Washington University, Brown School of Social Work
Co-author: Fatima Mabrouk, MSW – New York University, Silver School of Social Work
Co-author: Carolyn Minor, BA – American Blues Theater
Presenter: Chantelle Roulston, PhD – Stony Brook University
Co-author: Sarah McKetta, M.P.H., M.S. – Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University
Co-author: Maggi A. Price, Ph.D. – Boston College
Co-author: Kathryn R. Fox, Ph.D. – University of Denver
Co-author: Jessica L. Schleider, Ph.D. – Stony Brook University
Presenter: Allison N. Bair, Ph.D. – University of Denver
Co-author: Journey Simmons, PhD – Boston University
Co-author: Emily Burns, M.A. – Graduate School Of Professional Psychology
Co-author: Samantha Scott, M.A. – University of Denver
Co-author: Kathryn R. Fox, Ph.D. – University of Denver
Presenter: Briana S. Last, M.A. – University of Pennsylvania
Co-author: Briana S. Last, M.A. – University of Pennsylvania
Co-author: Christina Johnson, BA – University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
Co-author: Chynna Mills, BA – University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
Co-author: Natalie Dallard, MA – Community Behavioral Health
Co-author: Sara Fernandez-Marcote, MEd, LPC – Community Behavioral Health
Co-author: Rinad Beidas, PhD – University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine