Perceived barriers to mental health service use among individuals with mental disorders in the Canadian general population

BACKGROUND: Eliminating barriers to care is important for improving health service use. However, the barriers to mental health care have not been well investigated. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to provide information about the barriers to mental health service use and to identify clinical factors associated with perceived barriers among individuals with depressive-, anxiety-, and substance use-related disorders in the communities. DESIGN: A cross-sectional analysis using data from the Canadian Community Health Survey-Mental Health and Well-being was instituted. SUBJECTS: Participants with depressive-, anxiety-, and substance use-related disorders in the past 12 months, assessed by the World Mental Health-Composite International Diagnostic Interview, were included (n = 4094). RESULTS: In participants with mental disorders, 19.5% reported barriers to mental health service use. The percentage of perceived barriers due to acceptability was higher than those for barriers due to accessibility and availability. Participants with comorbid mental disorders were more likely to have experienced barriers than those with one disorder in both mental health service users and in the nonusers. Role impairment was a significant factor predicting barriers to care, overall and in the service nonusers, in the groups having anxiety disorders only, having any depressive or anxiety disorders, and having any alcohol or drug dependence. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical characteristics play an important role in perceiving barriers to mental health care. Future efforts should pay particular attention to the needs of those with chronic and severe mental health problems and focus on improving the effectiveness of mental health services.