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Use of Mental Health Services and Barriers to Care for Individuals on Probation or Parole

NCJ Number
235492
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 50 Issue: 1-4 Dated: January 2011 Pages: 37-47
Author(s)
Gina P. Owens; Shannon M. Rogers; Allison A. Whitesell
Date Published
2011
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study examined the prevalence of mental disorders among incarcerated populations or those on parole or probation.
Abstract
Prior research with incarcerated populations and individuals on parole or probation suggests that significant rates of mental health problems and histories of traumatic events exist among these groups. However, limited research has explored mental health treatment-seeking and barriers to accessing mental health care for individuals on parole or probation. The current study assessed mental health symptoms, mental health services use in the past year, and barriers to service access for a sample of individuals on probation and parole (N = 100). The most commonly reported concerns were depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Slightly more than half of the sample reported seeking mental health care in the past year. For those who felt they needed care, but did not seek these services, not having health insurance and not being able to afford treatment were the most commonly cited reasons. Implications of these findings are discussed. (Published Abstract)