Disparities in the use of mental health services of adolescents in Chile

Objective: To examine disparities in the use of mental health services (MHS) in adolescents according to sociodemographic factors. Subjects and Method: 2,022 adolescents aged 13-19 years in Santiago, Chile, participated in the study. Between April and May 2008, they answered a self-report survey that assessed lifetime (history of treatment for depression) and current (psychological or pharmacological treatment) use of MHS, sociodemographic variables, and psychopathology as symptoms of depression, symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, and risk of problematic substance use. Data were analyzed using logistic regression. Results: 16.5% of participants reported lifetime use of MHS due to depression, 9.7% were on current psychological treatment, and 2.7% were on current pharmacological treatment. Among those meeting criteria for a mental health problem, only 14.9% to 18.9% were currently on treatment. Males, younger participants, and those who had immigrants' parents reported lower lifetime use of MHS due to depression. Those with parents with 9 to 12 years of education and who had immigrants' parents reported lower current MHS use. Youth not living with both parents reported higher lifetime and current MHS use. Conclusions: We observe a high treatment gap in those with mental health needs as well as differences in MHS use based on socio-demographic variables. These results may be useful for planning interventions that favor access to and use of MHS, especially in the most disadvantaged groups of adolescents.