Use of mental health services by children with mental disorders in two major cities in Brazil

Objective: The study examined lifetime use of mental health services among children diagnosed as having mental disorders in two major cities in Brazil and identified characteristics associated with unmet need. Methods: The data were collected as part of the High Risk Cohort Study, a community study conducted in Sao Paulo and Porto Alegre, Brazil. During the period from 2010 to 2011, a total of 2,511 children ages 6 to 12 were assessed, and 652 were given a diagnosis of at least one mental disorder. The current study analyzed data for a subsample of 651 children with complete information on use of mental health services. Results: Eighty-one percent of the children with mental disorders had not received mental health treatment in the past. The majority who received treatment were treated with psychotherapy or a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Mixed-race children were significantly more likely to have unmet need for treatment, compared with white children. Conclusions: The high rate of unmet need among children with mental disorders should be addressed with strategies to improve access to health care.