Depression symptom and professional mental health service use.
BACKGROUND
Despite the sharp rise in antidepressant use, the underutilization of mental healthcare services for depression remains a concern. We investigated factors associated with the underutilization of mental health services for potential depression symptoms in the Republic of Korea, using a nationally representative sample.


METHODS
Data were obtained from the Community Health Survey (2011-2012) conducted in the Republic of Korea. Participants comprised adults who reported potential depression symptoms during the year prior to the study (n = 21,644); information on professional mental healthcare use for their symptoms was obtained. The association of demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related factors with consultation use was analysed via multiple logistic regression. Adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were estimated.


RESULTS
Among those reporting potential depression symptoms, only 17.4% had consulted a medical/mental health professional. Elderly individuals of both genders had significantly lower consultation rates compared to middle-aged individuals. Unmet healthcare needs and a history of diabetes mellitus were associated with lower consultation rates. After stratification by age, elderly individuals with the lowest education and income level were significantly less likely to seek professional mental health services. Married, separated, or divorced men had lower consultation rates compared to unmarried individuals, whereas married, separated, or divorced women had higher rates.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that target strategies for vulnerable groups identified in this study--including elderly individuals--need to be established at the community level, including strengthening social networks and spreading awareness to reduce the social stigma of depression.
Department of Public Health, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. jlk@yuhs.ac.|Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. jlk@yuhs.ac.
Jeong Lim
JL
Kim
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Republic of Korea. chojael@gmail.com.
Jaelim
J
Cho
Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. soheepark@yuhs.ac.|Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. soheepark@yuhs.ac.
Sohee
S
Park
Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. ecpark@yuhs.ac.|Department of Preventive Medicine & Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea. ecpark@yuhs.ac.
Eun-Cheol
EC
Park
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017678:Sex Distribution; D057545:Social Stigma; D055815:Young Adult