Introducing Foster Care: Challenges and Opportunities to Reducing Health Disparities

Guest editor Dr. Anu Partap introduces Volume 9, Issue 1 of the Journal of Applied Research on Children

Mental Health Beliefs and Barriers to Accessing Mental Health Services in Youth Aging out of Foster Care

Sakai et al examine the perspectives of youth on factors that influence mental health service use after aging out of foster care. Youths' perceptions of their mental health needs, self-efficacy, psychosocial supports during transition, and access barriers influence mental health service use after aging out of foster care. Results suggest that strategies are needed to help youth and clinicians negotiate shared understanding of mental health treatment needs and options, incorporate mental health into transition planning, and address insurance and other systemic barriers to accessing mental health services after aging out of foster care