Access to and Satisfaction With Children's Mental Health Treatment in the United States

Abstract

Objectives: Many children with a mental health condition do not receive mental health treatment, and access differs across sociodemographic characteristics. The objective of this study was to assess the need for, receipt of, difficulty obtaining, and satisfaction with children's mental health treatment among US households with children.

Methods: We analyzed data collected from June 7 through August 7, 2023, from the Household Pulse Survey. The sample included 66 611 households with children aged 0 to 17 years, with 53 842 households answering questions about children's mental health treatment needs. We defined the terms "need," "receipt," "difficulty getting treatment," and "satisfaction." We estimated the prevalence of treatment needs overall and by number of children in the household, children's ages, respondent characteristics, and annual household income. Analyses incorporated replicate weights.

Results: About 17% of households with children reported that some or all children needed mental health treatment; of these, 70% reported that all children received needed treatment. About 62% of households reported some difficulty getting treatment, and about 37% were dissatisfied with at least some of the treatment received. The prevalence of need for, receipt of, difficulty obtaining, and satisfaction with mental health treatment differed across covariates, in particular, children's ages; respondent race, ethnicity, and health insurance; and annual household income.

Conclusions: There are unmet needs for children's mental health treatment, a high prevalence of difficulty obtaining treatment, and dissatisfaction with treatment when obtained. Future research should investigate the barriers to receiving timely mental health treatment and reasons for dissatisfaction with care.

Keywords: health care access; mental health; mental health treatment; satisfaction with treatment.