Date and Time
January 21, 2009
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Availability
Open to the public
No RSVP required

Speaker
Sarah (Sally) M. Horwitz - Stanford University

Epidemiological data on mental health problems and use of mental health services are sparse and based on regional samples. However, one nationally representative sample of high risk youth has produced data on the need for and use of mental health services. Data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-being (NSCAW) were used to examine the patterns and predictors of mental health services use. Using a nationally representative sample of child welfare agencies, NSCAW enrolled, longitudinally followed and assessed, using valid and reliable instruments, 5501 children and adolescents who had a child welfare contact. These features make NSCAW an unusually rich source of data on mental health as well as other important health and development issues for children and adolescents.