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Multicenter Study
. 2004 May;94(5):859-65.
doi: 10.2105/ajph.94.5.859.

Can better mental health services reduce the risk of juvenile justice system involvement?

E Michael Foster  1 , Amir Qaseem, Tim Connor
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Can better mental health services reduce the risk of juvenile justice system involvement?

E Michael Foster et al. Am J Public Health. 2004 May.

Abstract

Objectives: We evaluated how improved mental health services affect justice involvement among juveniles treated in the public mental health system.

Methods: Our analyses were based on administrative and interview data collected in 2 communities participating in the evaluation of a national initiative designed to improve mental health services for children and youths.

Results: Results derived from Cox proportional hazard models suggested that better mental health services reduced the risks of initial and subsequent juvenile justice involvement by 31% and 28%, respectively. Effects were somewhat more pronounced for serious offenses.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that improved mental health services reduce the risk of juvenile justice involvement.

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Figures

FIGURE 1—
FIGURE 1—
Risk of juvenile justice involvement: hazard analysis results.
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