Trends in mental health service use by age among adults with serious mental illness

Ann Epidemiol. 2019 Feb:30:71-73. doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2018.11.011. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines trends in mental health service use among 18- to 64-year-old adults with serious mental illness (SMI).

Methods: Data are from approximately 22,200 adults with SMI who participated in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an annual nationally representative survey of the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population. A regression restricted spline modeled the trend in mental health service use by age among adults with SMI.

Results: Approximately 20 to 50% of adults with SMI did not receive past-year mental health services. The odds of past-year service use increased by 3% per year until age 52 years.

Conclusions: From age 18 to 52 years, age incrementally increases the likelihood that an adult with SMI makes treatment contact.

Keywords: Serious mental illness; Service use; Trends.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Female
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Mental Disorders / therapy*
  • Mental Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Mental Health Services / trends*
  • Middle Aged
  • Sex Distribution
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Young Adult