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Dynamics of Mental Health and Healthcare Use among Children and Young Adults

Author

Listed:
  • Peter Butterworth
  • Sonja C. de New
  • Chris Schilling
  • Karinna Saxby
  • Dennis Petrie
  • Clement Wong

Abstract

Despite the high rates of mental disorder in adolescents and young adults, treatment utilisation is low. Using Australian longitudinal administrative and survey data, we show an increasing proportion of young people are accessing nervous system scripts as they age. Younger cohorts have increasingly accessed these scripts earlier; usage is generally higher among disadvantaged groups and in regions with better mental health service access. Less than half of all young adults facing very high psychological distress in 2018 had recently accessed mental health care. Instead of professional help, young people turn to friends and family for help with personal and emotional problems.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Butterworth & Sonja C. de New & Chris Schilling & Karinna Saxby & Dennis Petrie & Clement Wong, 2021. "Dynamics of Mental Health and Healthcare Use among Children and Young Adults," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 54(1), pages 130-142, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ausecr:v:54:y:2021:i:1:p:130-142
    DOI: 10.1111/1467-8462.12413
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Saxby, Karinna & de New, Sonja C. & Petrie, Dennis, 2020. "Structural stigma and sexual orientation disparities in healthcare use: Evidence from Australian Census-linked-administrative data," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    2. John Roy & Stefanie Schurer, 2013. "Getting Stuck In The Blues: Persistence Of Mental Health Problems In Australia," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 22(9), pages 1139-1157, September.
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