Food insecurity, mental health, and use of mental health services among nonelderly adults in the United States

This work examined the associations between food insecurity and severe mental illness (SMI) among US adults (aged 18–64 years); and that between food insecurity and use of mental health services, as well as cost-related mental health service underuse, among adults with SMI. We analyzed data from five years (2011–2015) of the National Health Interview Survey (n = 124,343). We used multivariate logistic regression to examine the relationships between food insecurity and SMI, inability to afford mental health services, and use of mental health service. We found increasing odds of SMI with increasing severity of food insecurity (p < 0.001). Among adults with SMI, those with very low food security had about two times higher odds of not being able to afford mental health care (p < 0.001) and 25% lower odds of using mental health services (p < 0.01) than those who were food secure. The findings imply food insecurity is associated with poor mental health and inadequate use of mental health services. Programs that provide food assistance could potentially serve as contact points for identifying adults with mental health problems and helping them access mental health care. Reducing food insecurity may possibly help reduce mental health issues.