HELP-SEEKING PATHWAYS FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

The processes by which children with emotional and behavioral disorder s seek and obtain help have received little study; yet, they are criti cal for determining mental health policy and practice. In this article , help seeking pathways for children are defined and a pathway model i s presented. Influences on help-seeking pathways are then reviewed, in cluding illness profile variables, predisposing factors, and barriers to and facilitators of care. Research targets such as the role of info rmal supports, collateral services, and cultural influences on help-se eking are recommended. Methodological considerations are presented tha t include assessment of clinically defined mental health need as well as subjective assessment of need, use of complementary qualitative and quantitative methods, and use oi cross-system data. The implications for practice and policy of research on help-seeking pathways are descr ibed.