Effective Treatment for Mental and Substance Use Disorders in 21 Countries
Summary & key facts
Researchers looked at mental health and substance problems across 21 countries and found big gaps in effective care. The biggest barrier was that many people do not think they need help. The study says primary care doctors need better training, care should move people from minimal to truly effective treatment, and that men and people with less schooling are less likely to get treatment that actually helps.
- The study looked across 21 countries to measure how well people get effective treatment for mental and substance use problems.
- Many people who could benefit from care do not get it because they do not perceive, or recognize, that they need help; this was the largest single barrier the researchers found.
- There are gaps in the quality of treatment. Some people get only minimal care instead of care that clearly helps, so the researchers call for better continuity from minimal to effective treatment.
- Primary care clinicians, meaning the doctors and health workers people see first, often need more training to recognize and treat mental disorders.
- Men and people with lower levels of education were identified as groups that are less likely to receive effective treatment and so need better access.
Abstract
In addition to the gaps in treatment quality, these results highlight the importance of increasing perceived need, the largest barrier to effective treatment; the importance of training primary care treatment clinicians in recognition and treatment of mental disorders; the need to improve the continuum of care, especially from minimally adequate to effective treatment; and the importance of bridging the effective treatment gap for men and people with lower education.
Topics
Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development Mental Health Treatment and Access Schizophrenia research and treatmentCategories
Psychology Social Psychology Social SciencesTags
Anxiety Clinical psychology Cross-sectional study Environmental health Guideline Marital status Medicine Mental health Mood Mood disorders Pathology Population PsychiatryConditions & symptoms
Addiction Anxiety Depression Substance abuse disorder Addiction or harmful habbits Anxiety or worry Sadness or low moodReferencing articles
The Real Life Results Of Not Seeking Help
A clinical psychologist speaks to States of Mind about the real life implications of not…
