Chitty, K.M.Sawyer, M.G.Carter, G.Lawrence, D.2023-04-122023-04-122023Australasian Psychiatry, 2023; 31(3):270-2761039-85621440-1665https://hdl.handle.net/2440/137891First published online March 19, 2023Objectives: To examine healthcare utilisation patterns in a sample of young people with self-reported experiences of self-harm and/or suicidal behaviours. Methods: A national survey examining mental health in a nationally representative sample of young Australians aged 12–17 years, linked to routinely collected healthcare and dispensing data. For respondents that self-reported experience of self-harm, suicidal ideation, suicidal plan and/or suicide attempt, we assessed attendance at a Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS) subsidised MH service or non-MH general practitioner (GP) attendance at three time periods: 1) ever, 2) in the 12 months prior to completing the survey and 3) after completing the survey until 31 Dec 2015.We also assessed correlates associated with attendance and non-attendance at a MH service. Results: The study included 311 young people. MH services were attended in the 12 months before the survey by 38.3% with attempted suicide, 28.7% with a suicidal plan, 28.9% with suicidal ideation and 29.4% with selfharm. MH treatment administered by a GP was the most common MH service (25%); followed treatment by psychologist (15%) and psychiatrist (5%). Attendance at aMH service was observed highest alongsidemore severe self-reported depression. Conclusions: Potential underutilisation ofMBSMHservices by young people with self-harmand/or suicidal behaviours.en© The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists 2023. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits any use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access page (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).general practicehealth serviceshealthcaremental healthsuicidal behaviourJournal article10.1177/103985622311634152023-04-12639268Sawyer, M.G. [0000-0002-7834-0561]