RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Mental Health Service Referral and Treatment Following Screening and Assessment in Juvenile Detention JF Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online JO J Am Acad Psychiatry Law FD American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law SP JAAPL.240082-24 DO 10.29158/JAAPL.240082-24 A1 Tedeschi, Frank A1 Horwitz, Sarah McCue A1 Surko, Michael A1 Weinberger, Emily A1 Bart, Amanda A1 Baetz, Carly A1 Guo, Fei A1 Alexander, Ava A1 Havens, Jennifer F. YR 2024 UL http://jaapl.org/content/early/2024/10/11/JAAPL.240082-24.abstract AB Numerous recommendations have been made to address the high rates of mental health disorders among justice-involved youth. Few data are available on the use, quality, appropriateness, or availability of services to address these needs. This study examined the relationship between trauma-informed mental health screening, other referral pathways for diagnostic evaluation, subsequent DSM-5 diagnoses, and treatments for evaluated youth. Eligible participants were all youth admitted to New York City secure juvenile detention facilities from September 17, 2015 to October 30, 2016 who remained in the facility for at least five days (N = 786). Of those, 581 (73.9%) were voluntarily screened and 309 (53.2%) later received a diagnostic evaluation. Youth who screened positive for depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and problematic substance use were more likely to be evaluated. Treatment received was related to diagnosis rather than reason for referral. For youth who were referred for behavioral or emotional concerns, 99.1 percent (114 of 115) of those diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder had attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These data are among the first to describe DSM-5 diagnoses and treatment among youth detainees. They highlight the prevalence of ADHD in detained youth and argue for the coordination of universal trauma-informed mental health screening and a structured referral system for this population.