“Why don’t people with mental health problems seek treatment?”: A Study of Residents of Crime Hot Spots in Baltimore

• In Event: Barriers and Pathways to Healthcare for Justice-Involved Community Members

Abstract

Those who have contact with criminal justice system, such as the police, jails, and prisons, experience higher rates of mental illness than the public. Residents living in disadvantaged communities also experience higher rates of mental illness. Yet providing people with mental health treatment remains a challenge, and many do not receive treatment that can be beneficial. The current study uses a unique dataset of residents living on high crime streets to explore the prevalence of mental health problems, perceptions about the use of treatment services, and their own use of services. We will also examine whether perceptions about barriers to treatment and receiving treatment services are moderated by factors such as offending, justice system contact, living on a crime hot spot, and other demographics such as race. Preliminary findings show that residents of crime hot spots are more likely to have mental health problems, have similar levels of ever receiving services, but express a current need for services, compared to residents on low-crime streets. Additionally, residents of hot spots perceive stigma as a barrier to receiving services, whereas residents of low-crime spots believe the cost and knowledge about accessing services are the main barriers. Policy implications will also be discussed.

Authors

• Clair V. Uding, University of Wyoming

• Lauren Porter, University of Maryland, College Park

• Haley Moon, University of Arkansas at Little Rock