Need for mental health services of the adult population in Finland: results from the Mini Finland Health Survey

• Published in: Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica Vol. 81; no. 5; p. 426
• Main Authors: Lehtinen, V, Joukamaa, M, Jyrkinen, E, Lahtela, K, Raitasalo, R, Maatela, J, Aromaa, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.1990
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Anxiety Disorders - epidemiology; Community Mental Health Services - statistics & numerical data; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depressive Disorder - epidemiology; Female; Finland - epidemiology; Health Services Needs and Demand - trends; Health Services Research - trends; Health Surveys; Humans; Incidence; Male; Mental Disorders - diagnosis; Mental Disorders - epidemiology; Middle Aged; Neurotic Disorders - epidemiology; Phobic Disorders - epidemiology; Psychotic Disorders - epidemiology; Referral and Consultation - statistics & numerical data
• ISSN: 0001-690X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1990.tb05475.x

This article presents results on the self-perceived and clinically assessed met and unmet need for mental health care as indicated by the Mini Finland Health Survey, an extensive epidemiological study of the Finnish population aged 30 years or over. The prevalence of self-perceived definite or probable need for care was 6.4% in the men and 8.2% in the women. The corresponding clinical assessments were 14.5% in the men and 19.6% in the women. The need for specialist care was 7.5% in the men and 9.6% in the women. The need was greatest in the middle-aged groups. About 60% of persons in need of care were not receiving any treatment. Half of the treatment received was assessed as inadequate. The treatment situation was much better for psychoses than for neuroses, but it varied little between the different parts of the country.