Slipping Through the Cracks: Identifying Families At-Risk of Not Engaging with Mental Health Care Within a Specialty Anxiety Clinic

• DOI: 10.1007/s11414-025-09947-1
• Publication Date: 2025-05-13T16:13:54Z
• Authors: Megan Brady; Jesslyn Jamison; Michal Weiss; Sophia Young; Danielle R. Adams; Dominique G. Rugg...; Emily M. Becker-H...
• Keywords: Specialty; Outreach; Attendance; Odds

Abstract Most youth in need of specialty anxiety treatment services do not receive it. Many families are lost between the time initial outreach and attending a first therapy appointment. A retrospective administrative database review identified characteristics at risk failing to connect with services. Data included 563 records (2019–2023) from pediatric program embedded within large community mental health setting. Variables interest client (age, gender, previous diagnosis/history); household (insurance, parent/caregiver custody, distance clinic); symptom screener. Descriptive statistics characterized documented non-response appointment offers failure attend an scheduled The highest drop off occurred after expressed services; 113 (21%) were non-responsive outreach. Logistic regression analyses indicated that having insurance covered (vs. self-pay) living closer clinic farther) predicted increased odds intake scheduling ( p s < .01) . Clients also had higher successful attendance Findings indicate many seeking for “fall off” (e.g., leaving voicemail or completing online inquiry form learn about services). results suggest potential importance streamlining contacts make it easier engage future work examine whether strategies like direct booking can improve engagement rates.