title: A population-based needs assessment for mental health services.
abstract: A needs assessment was done to objectively evaluate client need and determine gaps between these needs and the services provided by mental health services. The services included were standard case management, assertive case management and residential care across the Fraser Health Region in British Columbia, Canada. Assessments involved collection of data on current symptoms, functioning, and service use and needs. Results showed many specific areas where client needs were under met. A level-of-care planning model was applied to the data and results suggest that a high percentage of clients may be in fact receiving too high or too low a level of care for their needs. This method of performing a population-based needs assessment provided findings that have proved useful for planning purposes in order to ensure that community mental health services better match client need.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, V6T 1Z4, Vancouver, BC, Canada, hanson@shaw.ca
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.forename: Denyse
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Houde
authors.forename: Meryl
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McDowell
authors.forename: Lois
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dixon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001955:British Columbia; D018672:Community Health Planning; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs; D020380:Needs Assessment