Mental Health Screening and Differences in Access to Care among Prisoners.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:Disparities in mental health care exist between regional and demographic groups. While screening is recommended as part of a correctional mental health strategy, little work has been done to explore whether it can narrow regional and demographic disparities in access to care. We compared treatment access rates by sex, race, age, and region in relation to screening results. METHODS:We conducted a retrospective cohort study using administrative data. All 7965 admissions to the prison system were followed for a median of 14 months. RESULTS:Males and non-Indigenous minority racial groups had lower rates of treatment regardless of screening results; they were less likely both to self-report needs and to receive treatment if these needs were reported. Regional differences revealed high

SUBMITTER: Martin MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6187439 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature