Predictors of Partially Met or Unmet Need Reported by Consumers of Mental Health Services: An Analysis of Data from the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing

2001 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 455-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth A. Parslow ◽  
Ruth A. Parslow ◽  
Anthony F. Jorm
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Health Practitioner ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Social Interventions ◽  
Health And Wellbeing

Objective: We examined data from the 1997 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing to identify factors associated with consumers of mental health help reporting that their needs were unmet or only partially met. Predictor factors included sociodemographic variables, psychological morbidity measures and type of health practitioner seen. Method: Five types of mental health help were considered: information, medication, psychological therapy, social interventions and skills training. A respondent's unmet need for each type of mental health help was given one of three values: 0: no unmet need reported; 1: some but not enough help of this type provided; and 2: no help of this type provided although it was needed. Multiple ordered logistic regressions were undertaken to identify predictor variables associated with reporting unmet need for each type of help. Results: Few sociodemographic factors were found to be associated with consumers reporting unmet need for mental health help. Those with less education were more likely to report unmet need for medication. Being male, living alone and being unemployed were associated with unmet need for skills training. Having seen a general practitioner for mental health reasons was found to be associated with reporting unmet need for both information and social interventions. Self-identifying, or being diagnosed, as having an anxiety disorder was associated with reporting unmet need for four of the five types of help. Conclusions: In this exploratory analysis, we examined factors associated with consumers of mental health help reporting that their needs were unmet or partially met. We found that the needs of those with anxiety problems were not generally well met. Our findings also indicate there is a need to continue to improve collaboration between the medical and community services sectors.

Predictors of Types of Help Provided to People Using Services for Mental Health Problems: An Analysis of the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing

2001 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth A. Parslow ◽  
Ruth A. Parslow ◽  
Anthony F. Jorm
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Abuse ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Predictor Variables ◽  
Health Practitioner ◽  
Health And Wellbeing

Objective: Using the 1997 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, this study examined the types of mental health help provided to those Australians who use mental health services. We also sought to identify the extent to which sociodemographic factors, patterns of psychiatric morbidity and type of health practitioner seen were associated with receiving different types of mental health help. Method: Multiple logistic regressions were undertaken to identify predictor variables associated with receiving information, medication, psychological therapy, practical help and help looking after oneself or one's home. A total of 25 predictor variables provided in the National Survey were considered including age, sex, marital status, labour force status, geographical location, education, psychological symptoms, neuroticism, diagnoses of affective, anxiety and substance-abuse disorders and self-identified depression, anxiety and substance abuse. The type of practitioner seen for mental health reasons was also considered. Results: Of the sociodemographic factors, age was the most consistently associated with receiving particular types of help. Younger respondents were more likely to have received information whereas older patients reported receiving more medication. As might be expected, the type and severity of psychiatric morbidity and the category of health professional seen were also associated with receiving particular types of mental health help. Conclusions: There are relatively few predictor variables that suggest possible bias in the types of help provided. Age group of recipient is an important exception. Our findings suggest that older recipients of mental health care are not provided the range of mental health treatments offered younger people who present with similar problems.

Affective and Anxiety Disorders and their Relationship with Chronic Physical Conditions in Australia: Findings of the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing

2011 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 939-946 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maree Teesson ◽  
Philip B. Mitchell ◽  
Mark Deady ◽  
Sonja Memedovic ◽  
Tim Slade ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Physical Condition ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Chronic Physical Conditions ◽  
Nationally Representative

Objective: The aim of this study was to report nationally representative data on the prevalence and patterns of 12 month comorbidity of chronic physical conditions (diabetes, asthma, coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, arthritis) and DSM-IV affective and anxiety disorders in Australian adults. Method: The 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (NSMHWB) was a nationally representative household survey of 8841 Australian adults (16–85 years) assessing symptoms of ICD-10 mental disorders and the presence of chronic physical conditions. Results: Prevalence of at least one National Health Priority Area chronic physical condition was 32.2% (95%CI = 30.9%–33.5%). Among those with chronic physical conditions 21.9% had an affective or anxiety disorder. Affective and anxiety disorders were more common among people with physical conditions than among people without chronic physical conditions (affective OR 1.5; anxiety OR 1.8). Of those with a 12 month affective or anxiety disorder, 45.6% had a chronic physical condition. Physical disorders were more common in those with an affective or anxiety disorder than among people without an affective or anxiety disorder (affective OR 1.6; anxiety OR 2.0). Disability was high in those with an anxiety disorder, an affective disorder and a physical condition and 43.4% were classified as high service users. Conclusions: Comorbidity between chronic physical conditions and affective and anxiety disorders is widespread and is associated with high levels of disability and service use.

scholarly journals The population impact of improvements in mental health services: the case of Australia

2011 ◽  
Vol 199 (6) ◽  
pp. 443-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony F. Jorm
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Health Services ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Population Impact ◽  
High Prevalence

SummaryA national survey in 1997 found that Australia had a high prevalence of mental disorders with low rates of treatment. Since then, treatment availability has increased greatly and unmet need has reduced. However, there is little evidence that the nation's mental health has improved.

The National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing: The Child and Adolescent Component

2000 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael G. Sawyer ◽  
Robert J. Kosky ◽  
Brian W. Graetz ◽  
Fiona Arney ◽  
Stephen R. Zubrick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
High Quality Data ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Key Issues

Objective: This paper describes the Child and Adolescent Component of the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Method: The aims of the study, critical decisions in planning for the study, progress to date and key issues which influenced the course of the study are described. Results: The Child and Adolescent Component of the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing is the largest study of child and adolescent mental health conducted in Australia and one of the few national studies to be conducted in the world. Results from the study will provide the first national picture of child and adolescent mental health in Australia. Conclusions: Large-scale epidemiological studies have the potential to provide considerable information about the mental health of children and adolescents. However, having a clear set of aims, ensuring that the scope of the study remains within manageable proportions and paying careful attention to the details of fieldwork are essential to ensure that high-quality data is obtained in such studies.

scholarly journals Non-disclosing youth: a cross sectional study to understand why young people do not disclose suicidal thoughts to their mental health professional.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren McGillivray ◽  
Demee Rheinberger ◽  
Jessica Wang ◽  
Alexander Burnett ◽  
Michelle Torok
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Young People ◽  
Health Professional ◽  
Therapeutic Alliance ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Professional ◽  
Health Practitioner ◽  
Suicidal Thoughts ◽  
Factors Associated

Abstract Background Prevalence of suicidal ideation increases rapidly in adolescence, and many choose not to seek help and disclose their ideation. Young people who do disclose suicidal ideation, prefer to do so with peers and family compared to mental health professionals, who are best placed to provide evidence-based treatment. This study aimed to identify key factors associated with young people’s decision to, or not to disclose suicidal thoughts to their mental health practitioner. Methods A community-based sample of young Australians (16–25 years), who had experienced suicidal ideation and engaged with a mental health professional, completed an online questionnaire (N = 513) which assessed demographic characteristics, severity of depression, anxiety, psychological distress, and suicidal ideation, lifetime suicide attempts, exposure to suicide loss, personal suicide stigma, prioritisation of mental health issues, and therapeutic alliance. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with disclosure. Results Though the full sample had engaged in therapy, 39% had never disclosed suicidal ideation to their clinician. Those who had disclosed were more likely to report greater prioritisation of suicidal ideation (OR = 4.07, 95% CI = 2.34–7.09), therapeutic alliance (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.02–1.06), and personal suicide stigma (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01–1.06). The most common reason for not disclosing was concern that it would not remain confidential. Conclusion These findings provide new insights into why young people may not seek help for suicidal ideation, despite being engaged with a mental health professional, and establish evidence to inform practice decisions and the development of prevention strategies to support young people for suicide.

Psychiatry and the Need for Mental Health Care in Australia: Findings from the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing

2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 210-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham Meadows ◽  
Bruce Singh ◽  
Philip Burgess ◽  
Irene Bobevski
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Psychiatric Services ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Perceived Needs ◽  
Health And Wellbeing

Objective: This paper describes the pattern of consultations reported with psychiatrists and primary mental health care providers in the Australian adult population. It explores whether inequalities found in utilization of psychiatric services according to area are different in degree from inequalities in utilization of medical and surgical specialists, and describes the meeting of perceived needs for mental health care within those seen by psychiatrists. Method: The National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (NSMHW) was a community survey employing clustered probability sampling, with a computerized field questionnaire which included sections of the composite international diagnostic interview (CIDI), as well as self-reported service utilization and perceived needs for care. Results: By survey estimates, 1.8% of the Australian population consulted a psychiatrist in the last year. Among people with an ICD 10-diagnosed mental disorder, 7.3% consulted a psychiatrist. Only about one in five people seen by a psychiatrist report the psychiatrist as the only mental health care provider. Disadvantaged areas of the cities and remote areas, when compared with the least deprived areas of the cities, showed lower rates of utilization. This effect is stronger in psychiatry than in other specialities. Patients seeing psychiatrists seem to be a more satisfied group than those seeing only other providers; nonetheless, some needs are not well met, and the role of the psychiatrist cannot be isolated as the cause of this satisfaction. Conclusions: Most care delivered by psychiatrists is de facto shared care. Psychiatrists as clinical professionals need to be continually mindful of the need to communicate with others providing care. Psychiatric services in Australia are not delivered in an equitable manner, and the inequalities are greater for psychiatric services than for other medical specialities.

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