Psychosocial functioning of youth receiving mental health services in the schools versus community mental health centers

Evaluated psychosocial differences between youth receiving mental health services in Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs; n = 79) as compared to youth receiving services from a program operating in 10 Baltimore schools (n = 186). Racial and gender differences were shown, with more African American youth and females in the School than CMHC sample. Multivariate analyses that controlled for these racial and gender differences failed to reveal significant effects, indicating comparable functioning on measures of life stress, violence exposure, family support, self-concept, and emotional/behavioral problems for youth from the two samples. However, particularly for those with internalizing disturbances, youth in the School sample were less likely to have received prior mental health services than youth from the CMHCs. Findings support the conclusion that school-based mental health programs are reaching youth who need mental health services, who otherwise may not receive them.