Defining the things we can change to improve access to mental health care

Access and utilization of mental health care are critical components of ensuring public health. In this conceptual article, we define modifiable factors affecting mental health care utilization with the goal of providing a pragmatic framework for providers and clinics to increase access to mental health care. Five shared constructs emerged from a review of prominent health behavior theories: (a) mental illness beliefs, knowledge, and recognition; (b) mental health treatment beliefs and knowledge; (c) stigma including perceived norms, public stigma, and self-stigma; (d) help-seeking behaviors including knowledge, motivation, self-efficacy, and skills; and (e) external barriers and facilitators such as cues, logistics, and social support. We explore how these constructs influence mental health care utilization including interpretation and perception of mental health symptoms, acceptability and awareness of treatment options, and skills and ability to find, schedule, and attend mental health care. Finally, we make recommendations on how this broader framework can be used by primary care clinician innovators to implement interventions to reduce disparities and improve access to mental health care. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).