Pattern of mental health service use and risk of injury: A longitudinal study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the association between mental health treatment patterns and risk of injuries among a Western Australian male birth cohort. Method: A population-based birth-cohort of males born between 1980 and 1984 in Western Australia was followed up using linked health data. Results: Participants with mental health conditions were at an increased risk of injury. Those with a continuous mental health treatment pattern without interruption or window periods had lower risk of injury compared to those with treatment interruption or window periods. The adjusted incidence rate ratios (95% confidence interval) for injury among participants: 1) without a mental condition; 2) with a previous mental condition; 3) with a mental condition in the last four years and without interruption in their mental health treatment; and 4) with a mental condition in the last four years with interruptions in mental health service, were 0.38 (0.35 -0.40), 0.77 (0.71 -083), 1.0 (reference group) and 2.06 (1.72 -2.47) respectively. Conclusion: Increasing resources for mental health services and enabling sufficient continuous mental health services and follow-up may reduce the risk of injury among populations with mental health conditions.

Depression and Risk of Unintentional Injury in Rural Communities—A Longitudinal Analysis of the Australian Rural Mental Health Study

“…These cross-sectional findings have been supported by some longitudinal research; for example, a study by Cameron et al [ 12 ] using health service data reported that individuals hospitalised for unintentional injury were more likely to experience mental health concerns in the ten years prior to the injury’s occurrence. A similar data linkage study in Australia found that males were more likely to experience an injury-related hospitalisation if they had previously been engaged with mental health services, particularly if their mental health care had been interrupted [ 13 ]. Longitudinal relationships between occupational injury and depression have also been examined [ 14 ], with gender differences detected in the patterns of association: males experiencing workplace injury were found to be more vulnerable to post-injury depression (compared with non-injured males), while female workers with depression were more likely to be injured at work (compared with non-depressed female workers).…”