Mental health difficulties across childhood and mental health service use: findings from a longitudinal population-based study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Over the past 20 years the prevalence of child and adolescent mental disorders in high-income countries has not changed despite increased investment in mental health services. Insufficient contact with mental health services may be a contributing factor; however, it is not known what proportion of children have sufficient contact with health professionals to allow delivery of treatment meeting minimal clinical practice guidelines, or how long children experience symptoms prior to receiving treatment.AimsTo investigate the level of mental healthcare received by Australian children from age 4 years to 14 years. METHOD: Trajectories of mental health symptoms were mapped using the St..