EFFECT OF PROPOSITION-187 ON MENTAL-HEALTH-SERVICE USE IN CALIFORNIA - A CASE-STUDY

In this DataWatch we examine whether the passage of California's Propo sition 187 affected the use of mental health services in San Francisco County. Using time series analyses, we identified a 26 percent decrea se in the initiation of outpatient mental health services by younger H ispanics at selected service sites after the passage of Proposition 18 7 in November 1994. Further analyses suggest that decreased use of out patient mental health services by young Hispanics was associated with their subsequent increased use of crisis services. Other studies of Pr oposition 187's effect on mental health service use in California are needed to corroborate the findings of this case study.