Mounting evidence suggests that migration background increases the risk of mental ill health, but that problems exist in accessing healthcare services in people of migrant origin. The present study uses a combination of register- and survey-based data to examine mental health-related health service use in three migrant origin populations as well as the correspondence between the need and use of services. The data are from the Finnish Migrant Health and Wellbeing Study (Maamu), a comprehensive cross-sectional interview and a health examination survey. A random sample consisted of 5909 working-aged adults of Russian, Somali, and Kurdish origin of which 3000 were invited to participate in the survey and the rest were drawn for a register-based approach. Some of the mental health services, based on registers, were more prevalent in the Kurdish origin group in comparison with the general population and less prevalent in the Russian and Somali origin groups. All the migrant origin groups were underrepresented in rehabilitation services. When affective symptoms were taken into account, all the migrant origin groups were underrepresented in all of the services. This calls for actions to promote mental health, diminish the barriers to access services, and improve the service paths for migrants.

Equal access to health care is one of the key policy priorities in many European societies. Previous findings suggest that there may be wide differences in the use of health services between people of migrant origin and the general population. We analyzed cross-sectional data from a random sample of persons of Russian (n = 692), Somali (n = 489), and Kurdish (n = 614) origin and the Health 2011 survey data (n = 1406) representing the general population in Finland. Having at least one outpatient visit to any medical doctor during the previous 12 months was at the same level for groups of Russian and Kurdish origin, but lower for people of Somali origin, compared with the general population. Clear differences were found when examining where health care services were sought: people of migrant origin predominantly visited a doctor at municipal health centers whereas the general population also used private and occupational health care. Self-reported need for doctor’s treatment was especially high among Russian women and Kurdish men and women. Compared to the general population, all migrant origin groups reported much higher levels of unmet medical need and were less satisfied with the treatment they had received. Improving basic-level health services would serve besides the population at large, the wellbeing of the population of migrant origin.

Background Migration affects migrating persons’ health in many levels. Populations of migrant origin, and in particular refugees, are known to have an increased risk of mental ill health. Previous research from Finland has shown that the prevalence of mental health symptoms is significantly higher among Russian origin women and Kurdish origin men and women than in the general population. Building on prior research, we explore the prevalence of perceived need for mental healthcare among Russian, Somali, and Kurdish origin populations and compare this to the general population in Finland. Additionally, we present prevalence of mental health treatment gap in these groups. Methods We used data from the Finnish Migrant Health and Wellbeing Study (n = 1404) and the Health 2011 Survey (n = 1459). Prevalence was calculated using predicted margins (95% confidence level). P-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Mental health treatment gap was examined by constructing a combined variable of perceived need for mental health services and prevalence of service use. Results The perceived need for mental health services was higher in Kurdish origin persons (16%) and lower in Somali origin persons (<1%) than in the general population (8%). Both Kurdish origin men (11%) and women (20%) expressed more need for mental health services than men (4%) and women (11%) in the general population. The mental health treatment gap was highest in Russian origin women (10%) and Kurdish origin women (10%) and men (8%). For the general population, the treatment gap was only 1% (men 2 %, women <1%). Conclusions Untreated mental health problems are unjust, problematic and can be a source of great human suffering. Evidence from Finland shows that especially persons of Kurdish origin experience a mental health treatment gap. To expand coverage and reduce inequalities in health services, national development projects (e.g. PALOMA) have been launched to improve mental healthcare. Key messages Perceived need for mental health services is more common among certain foreign-born populations than the general population in Finland; this is in line with prior research on mental health symptoms. Untreated mental health problems are unjust, problematic and can be a source of great human suffering; evidence of mental health treatment gap should lead to improved access to mental health services.