Social determinants of mental health service utilization in Switzerland

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate whether mental health services utilization in Switzerland is equitably distributed (i.e., predicted only by the need of a person). Methods: Data on 17,789 participants of the Swiss Health Survey 2012 (≥15 years) was analysed. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to predict: having been in treatment for a psychological problem; having used psychotropic medication; having had medical treatment for depression; and having visited a psychologist or psychotherapist. Need (depression severity and risky alcohol consumption) and socio-demographic variables were used as independent variables. Results: Depression severity was the strongest predictor for using mental he..