Psychosocial functioning of youth receiving mental health services in the schools versus community mental health centers

Evaluated psychosocial differences between youth receiving mental health se rvices in Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs; n = 79) as compared to yo uth receiving services from a program operating in 10 Baltimore schools (n = 186). Racial and gender differences were shown, with more African America n youth and females in the School than CMHC sample. Multivariate analyses t hat controlled for these racial and gender differences failed to reveal sig nificant effects, indicating comparable functioning on measures of life str ess, violence exposure, family support, self-concept, and emotional/behavio ral problems for youth from the two samples. However, particularly for thos e with internalizing disturbances, youth in the School sample were less lik ely to have received prior mental health services than youth from the CMHCs . Findings support the conclusion that school-based mental health programs are reaching youth who need mental health services, who otherwise may not r eceive them.