title: Distance and the use of mental health services.
abstract: The inverse relationship between distance from mental health services and their use has been noted over many decades and on several continents. Although many factors--diagnostic, socioeconomic, and nosocomial--may modify this correlation, its persistence is remarkable. As other barriers to use are diminished, distance remains a mutable variable for planning more effective use of many health care services.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000639:trends; D003155:Community Mental Health Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006783:Hospitals, State / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011640:Public Policy; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012106:Research; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014195:Travel; D014481:United States