title: Changes in met perceived need for mental healthcare in Australia from 1997 to 2007.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing conducted in 1997 and 2007 allows for exploration of changes in perceptions of mental healthcare. Major demographic, economic and health-behaviour changes have unfolded in Australia during this time. Governments also have increased spending on mental health services and been active in mental healthcare policy-making and implementation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare rates of meeting of perceived need for mental healthcare between these two surveys dealing with adjustable sources of error.
  
  
  METHODS
  Combined data-sets from 1997 and 2007 were analysed to provide weighted population estimates. Selection, indirect standardisation to a common reference population and multinomial logistic regression were employed, addressing bias and confounding.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between 1997 and 2007 perceived need for information, counselling and skills training among people who consulted a general practitioner, psychiatrist, or psychologist for mental health reasons has increased. Within these service users, increases in perceived responses from services are evident among people who have perceived needs for information provision and counselling.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Policy and service changes are among possible causal explanations. Generally, trends are in the direction that policy changes were intended to achieve, giving some encouragement that these initiatives have had some effect. Reduced unmet perceived need suggests improved access to some interventions. However, the proportion of service responses to perceived need seen as sufficient is generally unchanged. This suggests the adequacy of treatments offered, as perceived by the Australian public, may not have improved and that a continued focus on quality of care is important for the future.
authors: Southern Synergy, School of Psychiatry and Psychology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia. graham.meadows@monash.edu
authors: Graham N
authors: GN
authors: Meadows
authors: Irene
authors: I
authors: Bobevski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006291:Health Policy; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult