Exploring Disparities in Behavioral Health Service Use in the Early Stages of the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This research brief highlights the findings and takeaways from a published study comparing behavioral health service use by adults during the early COVID-19 pandemic and the previous year. From 2019 to 2020, admissions increased by 46%. Although individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders experienced the most complex challenges, the greatest increase in accessing treatment was by people with mental health concerns. More women accessed services than men. Service use increased for Multiracial and Hispanic adults, decreased for African American and White people, and remained stable for American Indians. Different service access patterns and complexity may have been related to pandemic and existing factors.