Factors associated with use of mental health services for depressed and/or suicidal youth aged 15-24

Using data from a national survey, this study examined different factors and their association with mental health service use in youth aged 15-24 with depression and/or suicidality. Our sample consisted of 1,252 youth with depression and/or suicidality. In youth aged 15-18 years old, two factors influenced service use: (1) co-occurrence of depression and suicidality (OR 3.23, 95% CI 1.43, 7.32) and (2) chronic health condition (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.22, 4.84). Several factors were associated with service use in youth aged 19-24 including gender (female) (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.14, 2.76), and low income (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.11, 3.23). The findings suggest differences in the factors associated with mental health service use between youth aged 15-18 and 19-24 with depression and/or suicidality.