About The Study: This nationally representative study showed that 1 in 8 transition-age youth (TAY) had suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB), yet less than half of those with STB had any mental health care. Asian, Black, and Latine TAY experienced substantial access disparities, with treatment rates 14 to 21 percentage points lower than white peers. Despite all TAY having STB in the subsample in this study, the large service access differences suggest that structural barriers, rather than clinical appropriateness or patient preference alone, drive these inequities.
Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Michael William Flores, PhD, MPH, email mwflores@cha.harvard.edu.
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(doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2026.2261)
Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.
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Journal
JAMA Pediatrics