Changes in met perceived need for mental healthcare in Australia from 1997 to 2007

Abstract

Policy and service changes are among possible causal explanations. Generally, trends are in the direction that policy changes were intended to achieve, giving some encouragement that these initiatives have had some effect. Reduced unmet perceived need suggests improved access to some interventions. However, the proportion of service responses to perceived need seen as sufficient is generally unchanged. This suggests the adequacy of treatments offered, as perceived by the Australian public, may not have improved and that a continued focus on quality of care is important for the future.

Why hasn’t the mental health of Australians improved? The need for a national prevention strategy

“…Amongst people receiving mental health services, there was a reduction in perceived unmet need for counselling and information from 1997 to 2007 (Meadows and Bobevski, 2011).…”

Reasons and Determinants for Perceiving Unmet Needs for Mental Health in Primary Care in Quebec

“…For instance, over 80% of patients with common mental disorders report that their needs for medication are fully met, while only 5% report that such needs go completely unmet. 12,13 In contrast, while psychotherapy is reported to be the most frequent perceived need regarding mental health care, 14 such needs are fully met in only one-half of patients 10,12,14 and completely unmet in 13% to 26% of patients. 12,13 Other perceived needs, such as those related to health information and psychosocial interventions (for example, related to housing or employment), are also less frequently fully met.…”

“…12,13 In contrast, while psychotherapy is reported to be the most frequent perceived need regarding mental health care, 14 such needs are fully met in only one-half of patients 10,12,14 and completely unmet in 13% to 26% of patients. 12,13 Other perceived needs, such as those related to health information and psychosocial interventions (for example, related to housing or employment), are also less frequently fully met. [12][13][14] However, only a few studies have focused on the predictive factors of the UNCs, 14,15 with these studies only revealing that there is a link between declaring UNCs and suffering from a severe mental disorder or from psychological distress.…”

“…12,13 Other perceived needs, such as those related to health information and psychosocial interventions (for example, related to housing or employment), are also less frequently fully met. [12][13][14] However, only a few studies have focused on the predictive factors of the UNCs, 14,15 with these studies only revealing that there is a link between declaring UNCs and suffering from a severe mental disorder or from psychological distress. 18,20 Addressing UNCs, and particularly unmet treatment needs, is important, as people with untreated anxiety or depressive disorders are at higher risk of experiencing poor outcomes and recurrence of these disorders.…”

“…[4][5][6] In 2000, Meadows et al 7 created a detailed questionnaire (that is, the PNCQ) to assess needs for care from the patient's point of view. The PNCQ has been used previously in adults suffering from common mental health disorders, [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] with studies revealing that, in industrialized countries, between 45% to 75% of patients with anxiety and depressive disorders consulting in primary care report that their needs are only partially met or completely unmet. 12,13,16,20 Rates of met and unmet needs for care also vary by the type of perceived needs examined.…”