Publications

Serious Mental Illness and Mental Health Treatment Utilization among Adults Residing in Non-Metropolitan and Metropolitan Counties

RUHRC Authors: Williams, T | Borders, T
Publication Date: 02/02/2022
Full Publication: Serious Mental Illness and Mental Health Treatment Utilization among Adults Residing in Non-Metropolitan and Metropolitan Counties

Objective

This study uses 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data to estimate and compare measure of prevalence of serious mental illness and utilization of treatment.  The past year prevalence of serious mental illness (SMI) was significantly higher among non-metropolitan than metropolitan (5.90% vs. 5.18%, P < .03) adults, and only 67.58% of non-metropolitan and 64.29% of metropolitan adults with SMI received any mental health (MH) treatment in the past year. Additional analyses revealed further non-metropolitan/metropolitan medication, inpatient, and outpatient treatment differences.  Regardless of county type, unmet treatment needs remain.  The most commonly reported barriers to receiving mental health treatment among persons with SMI were not knowing where to go, a fear of being committed/medicated, and not having time for treatment.

Suggested Citation

Borders TF, Williams T. Serious Mental Illness and Mental Health Treatment Utilization among Adults Residing in Non-Metropolitan and Metropolitan Counties. Lexington, KY: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center; 2022.