Needs for mental health treatment among general practice attenders

BACKGROUND: No study has directly assessed the need for mental health care among those consulting in general practice. AIMS: To make a direct assessment of the needs for mental health care in people with non-psychotic disorders consulting their general practitioner. METHOD: In a two-phase study design, consecutive general practice attenders aged 17-65 years were interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders. Needs for care were assessed using the community version of the Medical Research Council Needs for Care Assessment Schedule. RESULTS: Three hundred and thirty-six people were interviewed. The overall prevalence of need was 27.3%. More than half of the consulters (59.6%) had unmet needs and a further 6.2% had partially met needs. Needs were met in 28.1% and unmeetable in 6.2%. The prevalence of unmet need in those with anxiety disorders was 13.9% and depressive disorders 9.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The unmet need for mental health treatment in primary care attenders is high.