BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of mental disorders has fuelled controversy about the need for mental health services. AIMS: To estimate unmet need for mental healthcare at the population level in Europe. METHOD: As part of the European Study of Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD) project, a cross-sectional survey was conducted of representative samples of the adult general population of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands and Spain (n=8796). Mental disorders were assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 3.0. Individuals with a 12-month mental disorder that was disabling or that had led to use of services in the previous 12 months were considered in need of care. RESULTS: About six per cent of the sample was defined as being in need of mental healthcare. Nearly half (48%) of these participants reported no formal healthcare use. In contrast, only 8% of the people with diabetes had reported no use of services for their physical condition. In total, 3.1% of the adult population had an unmet need for mental healthcare. About 13% of visits to formal health services were made by individuals without any mental morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high unmet need for mental care in Europe, which may not be eliminated simply by reallocating existing healthcare resources.
BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of mental disorders has fuelled controversy about the need for mental health services. AIMS: To estimate unmet need for mental healthcare at the population level in Europe. METHOD: As part of the European Study of Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD) project, a cross-sectional survey was conducted of representative samples of the adult general population of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands and Spain (n=8796). Mental disorders were assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 3.0. Individuals with a 12-month mental disorder that was disabling or that had led to use of services in the previous 12 months were considered in need of care. RESULTS: About six per cent of the sample was defined as being in need of mental healthcare. Nearly half (48%) of these participants reported no formal healthcare use. In contrast, only 8% of the people with diabetes had reported no use of services for their physical condition. In total, 3.1% of the adult population had an unmet need for mental healthcare. About 13% of visits to formal health services were made by individuals without any mental morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high unmet need for mental care in Europe, which may not be eliminated simply by reallocating existing healthcare resources.
Authors: M Martin-Carrasco; S Evans-Lacko; G Dom; N G Christodoulou; J Samochowiec; E González-Fraile; P Bienkowski; M Gómez-Beneyto; M J H Dos Santos; D Wasserman Journal: Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci Date: 2016-02-13 Impact factor: 5.270
Authors: M ten Have; R de Graaf; J Ormel; G Vilagut; V Kovess; J Alonso Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2009-04-18 Impact factor: 4.328
Authors: Marijn A Prins; Peter F M Verhaak; Mirrian Smolders; Miranda G H Laurant; Klaas van der Meer; Peter Spreeuwenberg; Harm W J van Marwijk; Brenda W J H Penninx; Jozien M Bensing Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2010-01-05 Impact factor: 5.128