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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Ezra Golberstein¹, Daniel Eisenberg, PhD¹, Sarah Gollust², and Jennifer L. Hefner². (1) Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 109 Observatory, SPH II, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, 734-417-0394, egolber@umich.edu, (2) Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan, SPH II 109 Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Background: Unmet need for mental health services and barriers to care have been documented in general population samples, but less is known about these issues in university populations. This population is important because many mental disorders first emerge during this period. Methods: The Healthy Minds Study surveyed a random sample of undergraduate and graduate students from a large, Midwestern, public university (n=2,940, 58% response rate). Unmet need was defined as having a probable depressive or anxiety disorder, as indicated by the Patient Health Questionnaire instrument, but not receiving any mental health services in the past year. A variety of potential barriers to care were evaluated, including availability, affordability, knowledge and attitudes about services and a scale of perceived stigma of receiving care. The relationship between these factors and unmet need was examined using bivariate and multivariate analyses. Findings: 62% of students with a probable depressive or anxiety disorder had apparent unmet need for services. Barriers most strongly associated with unmet need included lack of awareness of services and insurance coverage, financial constraints, and attitudes towards treatment. Other barriers included lack of time, perceiving stress as normal, and expecting the problem to go away on its own. Perceived stigma was not a significant predictor of unmet need. Discussion: The majority of students with current probable depressive or anxiety disorders did not receive mental health services in the past 12 months. Improving knowledge and awareness about treatment options, insurance coverage and mental health symptoms appear to be promising strategies for this population.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

• Describe current levels of unmet need for depressive and anxiety disorders in a university student population.
• Identify key barriers to receiving mental health services in a university student population.
• Articulate strategies to improve mental health service utilization in university student populations.

Keywords: Mental Health Services, College Students

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered