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Shortfall in mental health service utilisation
G Andrews1, C Issakidis, G Carter
1School of Psychiatry, Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety Disorders, University of New South Wales, 299 Forbes Street, Darlinghurst, New South Wales 2010, Australia. gavin@crufad.unsw.edu.au
The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science
|November 2, 2001
Summary
Poor mental disorder treatment coverage in developed countries is linked to societal and diagnostic factors, not funding. Public education and accessible treatment are key to improving access to mental healthcare.
Area of Science:
- Mental Health Research
- Public Health Policy
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Treatment coverage for mental disorders remains inadequate in most developed nations.
- Understanding the barriers to accessing mental healthcare is crucial for improving public health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the underlying reasons for the low treatment coverage of mental disorders in developed countries.
- To identify demographic, diagnostic, and systemic factors influencing mental healthcare utilization.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Australian national surveys and data from the World Health Report.
- Examination of consulting rates based on diagnosis, gender, age, marital status, and disability.
Main Results:
- Only one-third of individuals with mental disorders sought treatment, with significant variation by diagnosis (e.g., schizophrenia 90% vs. substance use 15%).
- Consulting probability was influenced by demographic factors, with higher rates among women aged 25-54, disabled, and previously married individuals.
- Individuals preferring self-management cited this as a reason for not seeking professional help, particularly those with disabilities or comorbid conditions.
Conclusions:
- Societal attitudes, diagnostic characteristics, and individual preferences significantly impact mental healthcare seeking behavior.
- Health expenditure, out-of-pocket costs, and health system responsiveness did not correlate with overall consulting rates.
- Recommendations include enhancing public education on mental disorder recognition and treatment, and ensuring the availability of effective interventions.