Perceived mental health and needs for mental health services following trauma with and without brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
To compare self-reported mental health in trauma survivors with and without brain injury; to describe factors associated with lower mental health; and to compare needs in terms of mental health services and perceived access limitations to such services.


METHODS
Cross-sectional community survey.


METHODS
A total of 405 trauma survivors (239 with traumatic brain injury and 166 without) interviewed 2-4 years post-injury.


METHODS
Short Form-12 mental health scales and a survey measuring perceived needs for mental health services, and access limitations.


RESULTS
Injury survivors with and without traumatic brain injury are similarly affected on subjective reports of global mental health, vitality, role changes, and social functioning except for cognitive complaints. Variables associated with lower mental health in trauma survivors include younger age, being a woman, shorter time since injury, higher pain, lower social support, and presence of cognitive problems. Although individuals with traumatic brain injury report slightly more mental health problems and more need for mental health services, proportionally to their needs, more individuals without traumatic brain injury report access limitations to mental health services.


CONCLUSIONS
Mental health problems affect important proportions of trauma survivors, either with or without traumatic brain injury. More effort should be made to facilitate access to mental health services for all trauma survivors.
Ouellet
Marie-Christine
MC
Axe de Recherche en Traumatologie-Médecine d'urgence-Soins Intensifs, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Affilié Universitaire de Québec, Québec, Canada. marie-christine.ouellet@mail.mcgill.ca
Sirois
Marie-Josée
MJ
Lavoie
André
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008603:Mental Health; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult