Adolescent Mental Health Case Management: Consumer Perspectives

This qualitative study describes case management practices and suggestions for mental health service delivery improvement from the perspective of parents and guardians of adolescent service recipients, as well as youth service recipients over the age of 18. Data were collected during a series of 10 personal semistructured interviews. Parent/guardian interview participants discussed case management and what they perceived as barriers to effective case management services, as well as those aspects found within quality services. Interview participants also discussed their ideas on how to improve mental health case management service at both the micro and macro level. Interview results indicate mental health case management is not meeting its full capacity as a service that can positively impact adolescent outcomes.