“I don’t need any treatment” – barriers to mental health treatment in the general population of a megacity

OBJECTIVE: Most countries fail to treat individuals with psychopathologies. Investigating treatment barriers and reasons for dropout are key elements to overcoming this scenario. METHODS: A representative sample of 2,942 urban-dwelling adults was interviewed face-to-face within a cross-sectional, stratified, multistage probability survey of the general population. Psychiatric diagnosis, severity level, use of services, reasons for not seeking treatment, and treatment dropout were investigated. RESULTS: Only 23% of individuals with a psychopathology of any severity level in the last 12 months received treatment. Low perceived need for treatment (56%) was the most common reason for not seeking treatment. The most visited settings were psychiatric, other mental health care, and general medical care. Among those with a perceived need for treatment (44%), psychological barriers were the most common reason for not seeking it. Treatment dropout was more prevalent among those who visited a general medical care setting. Among individuals still in treatment, human services and psychiatric care were the most common types. Female sex was associated with structural barriers (OR = 2.1). Disorder severity was negatively associated with need barriers (OR = 0.4), and positively associated with structural barriers (OR = 2.5) and psychological barriers (OR = 2.5). CONCLUSION: Despite the need for treatment and better services, psychological barriers were the major reason for not seeking treatment. Apart from providing more specialists, investing in awareness, de-stigmatization, and information is the ultimate strategy for improving psychiatric care.