Service Demand for Psychological Interventions Among Australian adults: A Population Perspective

Abstract BackgroundPsychological interventions (PIs) are good practice treatment for both subthreshold and diagnosed mental disorders. Australia has implemented major reforms to expand the provision of subsidised psychological services for Australians with a diagnosed mental disorder. But there are gaps in knowledge about demand for PIs (i.e., use of and perceived need for PIs) across the population. This study uses nationally representative survey data to analyse demand for PIs in Australia. It also provides a method for analysing survey data to estimate demand for PIs when new survey data becomes available, along with suggestions to inform future survey development.MethodsNationally representative community survey respondents (n=8,841, 16–85 years) indicated their perceived need for nine types of help for mental health problems in the past 12 months, including three PIs (cognitive behavioural therapy, psychotherapy, and counselling), and whether these needs were unmet, partially met, or fully met. Types of help were grouped as: PIs only; PIs plus other; and other only.Results7.9% (95%CI: 7.2–8.6) received PIs. Receipt of PIs was positively associated with higher education and consulting a mental health specialist. Twice as many respondents received PIs plus medication as compared to PIs only (4.2% vs. 2.0%). Almost half (45.4%, 95%CI 36.5–4.6) incurred out-of-pocket costs for treatment. The most common reason for partially met need for PIs was cost (24.8%, 95%CI 17.2–34.3); for unmet need, it was preference for self-management (33.9%, 95%CI 21.2–49.5). Perceived unmet need for PIs only (3.1%, 95%CI 2.1–4.6) or PIs plus other (5.2%, 95%CI 3.9%-6.9%) was lower than for other only (22.8%, 95%CI 18.7–27.6). ConclusionsContinued reforms in Australia means that on-going monitoring of demand for PIs, using nationally representative data, is required. This study provides a baseline for comparison of the long-term effects of these reforms; this comparison may be undertaken using data from the third iteration of Australia’s NSMHWB, due for completion in 2020 – 2021.