TY - JOUR
T1 - Systematic identification and stratification of help-seeking school-aged youth with mental health problems
T2 - a novel approach to stage-based stepped-care
AU - Wolf, Rasmus Trap
AU - Puggaard, Louise Berg
AU - Pedersen, Mette Maria Agner
AU - Pagsberg, Anne Katrine
AU - Silverman, Wendy K
AU - Correll, Christoph U
AU - Plessen, Kerstin Jessica
AU - Neumer, Simon-Peter
AU - Gyrd-Hansen, Dorte
AU - Thastum, Mikael
AU - Bilenberg, Niels
AU - Thomsen, Per Hove
AU - Jeppesen, Pia
PY - 2022/5
Y1 - 2022/5
N2 - We investigated whether a novel visitation model for school-aged youth with mental health problems based on a stage-based stepped-care approach facilitated a systematic identification and stratification process without problems with equity in access. The visitation model was developed within the context of evaluating a new transdiagnostic early treatment for youth with anxiety, depressive symptoms, and/or behavioural problems. The model aimed to identify youth with mental health problems requiring an intervention, and to stratify the youth into three groups with increasing severity of problems. This was accomplished using a two-phase stratification process involving a web-based assessment and a semi-structured psychopathological interview of the youth and parents. To assess problems with inequity in access, individual-level socioeconomic data were obtained from national registers with data on both the youth participating in the visitation and the background population. Altogether, 573 youth and their parents took part in the visitation process. Seventy-five (13%) youth had mental health problems below the intervention threshold, 396 (69%) were deemed eligible for the early treatment, and 52 (9%) had symptoms of severe mental health problems. Fifty (9%) youth were excluded for other reasons. Eighty percent of the 396 youth eligible for early treatment fulfilled criteria of a mental disorder. The severity of mental health problems highlights the urgent need for a systematic approach. Potential problems in reaching youth of less resourceful parents, and older youth were identified. These findings can help ensure that actions are taken to avoid equity problems in future mental health care implementations.
AB - We investigated whether a novel visitation model for school-aged youth with mental health problems based on a stage-based stepped-care approach facilitated a systematic identification and stratification process without problems with equity in access. The visitation model was developed within the context of evaluating a new transdiagnostic early treatment for youth with anxiety, depressive symptoms, and/or behavioural problems. The model aimed to identify youth with mental health problems requiring an intervention, and to stratify the youth into three groups with increasing severity of problems. This was accomplished using a two-phase stratification process involving a web-based assessment and a semi-structured psychopathological interview of the youth and parents. To assess problems with inequity in access, individual-level socioeconomic data were obtained from national registers with data on both the youth participating in the visitation and the background population. Altogether, 573 youth and their parents took part in the visitation process. Seventy-five (13%) youth had mental health problems below the intervention threshold, 396 (69%) were deemed eligible for the early treatment, and 52 (9%) had symptoms of severe mental health problems. Fifty (9%) youth were excluded for other reasons. Eighty percent of the 396 youth eligible for early treatment fulfilled criteria of a mental disorder. The severity of mental health problems highlights the urgent need for a systematic approach. Potential problems in reaching youth of less resourceful parents, and older youth were identified. These findings can help ensure that actions are taken to avoid equity problems in future mental health care implementations.
KW - Children and adolescents
KW - Mental health problems
KW - Mental health services
KW - Stage-based stepped-care
KW - Visitation
KW - Youth
KW - Mental Disorders/diagnosis
KW - Humans
KW - Mental Health
KW - Anxiety Disorders
KW - Mental Health Services
KW - Adolescent
KW - Psychotic Disorders
KW - Child
KW - Schools
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85100174640&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s00787-021-01718-5
DO - 10.1007/s00787-021-01718-5
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 33459884
SN - 1018-8827
VL - 31
SP - 781
EP - 793
JO - European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
JF - European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
IS - 5
ER -