Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Receiving Mental Health Support Among Adolescents in the US

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine racial and ethnic disparities in receiving mental health support among adolescents in the U.S.

METHODS: The study used the 2022 National Health Interview Survey’s Sample Child Interview and focused on adolescents (aged 12 to 17). The outcome measures included (1) whether the adolescent had a meaningful and beneficial connection with someone else in their community, (2) received mental therapy from a professional, (3) took prescription medication for mental health, and (4) received both therapy and medicine for mental health. The independent variables included race and ethnicity (non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic Asian, Hispanic, and other), sex, age, born in the U.S., self-reported general health, family income, parent education, and urban/rural residence. Logistic regressions were applied.

RESULTS: The final sample included 2,629 adolescents. Approximately 91% of adolescents had received support from others in the community, 19% received mental health therapy, 14% took medication for their mental health, and 1.4% received both therapy and medicine. The results of the logistic regression showed that compared to white adolescents, Asians (coef: -1.51, 95%CI: [-2.05, -0.98], p<0.001) and Hispanics (coef: -1.46, 95%CI: [-1.85, -1.08], p<0.001) were significantly less likely to receive community support. Additionally, black (coef: -0.72, 95%CI: [-1.22, -0.22], p<0.05), Asian (coef: -2.06, 95%CI: [-3.23, -0.89], p<0.05), and Hispanic (coef: -0.95, 95%CI: [-1.35, -0.56], p<0.001) adolescents were significantly less likely to receive both therapy and medicine, or either therapy/medicine, respectively. Adolescents born in the U.S., compared to foreign-born counterparts, were significantly more likely to have community support (coef: 0.85, 95%CI: [0.43, 1.28], p<0.001), and receive both mental health therapy and mental health medication (coef: 0.95, 95%CI: [0.03, 1.89], p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that there is an urgent need to promote mental health support and access and reduce stigma for racial and ethnic minority adolescents and immigrants.