A census study of mental illness in Samsø

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Mental illness prevalence and service utilization are crucial for public health planning.
• Understanding demographic variations in mental health is essential for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of mental illness on the Danish island of Samsø.
• To determine the rate of psychiatric service referral for individuals with mental illness.
• To examine gender differences in the occurrence of specific mental health disorders.

Main Methods:

• Utilized census data from Samsø, covering a significant portion of the population.
• Analyzed psychiatric service referral records over an 18-year period (1957-1974).
• Calculated the frequency of past and present mental illness and specific diagnostic categories.

Main Results:

• 24% of the population experienced past or present mental illness.
• 50% of individuals with mental illness were referred to psychiatric services.
• Referral rates varied significantly by diagnosis, from 43% for non-psychotic disorders to 100% for schizophrenic patients.
• Women had a higher frequency of manic-depressive disorders, psychogenic psychoses, and neuroses.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights significant mental illness prevalence and differential service utilization within a defined population.
• Observed gender disparities in specific mental health conditions warrant further investigation.
• Findings provide insights into the long-term patterns of mental illness and psychiatric care in a community setting.