A profile of young Albertans using mental health services

Abstract

Mental health conditions are common. They pose a significant burden to individuals and economic burden to Canada. This report profiled Albertan youth (0 to 25 years old) who received mental health services from 2005/06 to 2010/11. Analyses examined these individuals’ sociodemographic characteristics and public service use patterns. This report found that (1) 5% of individuals received a mental health service in a given year (61,249 to 67,853 a year from 2005/06 to 2010/11), (2) mental health service users had lower educational achievement and were more likely to be students with special needs than those not using services, (3) behavioural conditions were the most common disorder among those with mental health service use, followed by anxiety and depression, and (4) those diagnosed with schizophrenia/psychosis were more likely to be high-cost health users and have other life challenges, such as criminal involvement, than others with a mental health condition. These findings provide policy-relevant evidence that public authorities may consider as they seek to better support young Albertans with mental health conditions.