Mental disorders among Native American children: rates and risk periods for entering treatment

The authors compared national data on use of outpatient mental health services by Native American children in 1974 with 1969 national data on non-Indian children. At all ages except 5 to 9 years, Indian children were at higher riskfor entering the treatment system than were nonIndian children. In addition, utilization patterns varied by age and sex. The authors discuss possible reasons frr the higher risk rates demonstrated by Indian children; these include schools and the effects of poverty.