Ensuring Programmatic Exposure and Efficacy in Areas of Greatest Need: A Geographical Study of Mental Health Outcomes and Provision of Behavioral Health Services by the NJ Pediatric Psychiatry Collaborative

Adolescence is a time of dramatic social, developmental, hormonal, and emotional changes in which risks of mental health problems increase. Delays between onset and treatment of mental health disorders in adolescence increases risk of suicide and other long-term negative outcomes that can extend into adulthood. Lack of mental health professionals to provide care for adolescents has been a persistent problem that has recently been exasperated by the Covid-19 pandemic. To address the deficiencies in mental health services in adolescents, NJ has funded the NJ Pediatric Psychiatry Collaborative (NJPPC). The program is directed through mental health hubs that address adolescent mental health needs throughout NJ. Although the mental health hubs have been implemented and services are currently being expanded; a statewide geographical analysis is needed to ensure that areas of the state with the highest rates of mental health disorder associated hospitalizations and deaths are being adequately identified and served. Using linked hospitalization and death data we will identify trends in hospitalizations and deaths associated with mental health disorders, investigate histories of hospitalizations prior to death, and understand how programmatic services provided by the NJPPC have addressed the needs in communities, and where services need to improve to support communities at risk. In so doing, this project will evaluate access to mental health services and inform the program to ensure efficient and effective use of state-supported mental health services.