Socio-Economic Factors and Mental Health Problems: Can Census-Tract Data Predict Referral Patterns?

A two-stage analysis examined whether socio-demographic factors drawn from census data that correlated with referral patterns to a community mental health service were reflected in people being seen at the service. The most strongly correlated factor (the percentage of poor families in a census tract) was also reflected among people seen. Among conclusions drawn are a link between poverty and mental health problems; the need for a broader understanding of the concept of socio-economic class, and the limitations of using census data alone to predict referral patterns to mental health services.