FACTORS RELATED TO UTILIZATION OF SERVICES FOR MENTAL-HEALTH REASONS IN MONTREAL, CANADA

This study examines factors related to the utilization of services for mental health reasons by Montreal residents. Data were drawn from tel ephone interviews. A random sample of 893 respondents completed a ques tionnaire on service utilization and the Diagnostic Interview Schedule Self Administered to assess DSM-III-R psychiatric disorders. Results indicate that 12.8% of the population had used such services in the pa st year. Medical doctors and psychiatrists, whose services are free of charge under universal health coverage, were consulted, respectively, by 4.1% and 2.0% of respondents. Psychologists, whose services are no t free, were seen by 3.4% of respondents. In all, 42.0% of respondents who presented a current diagnosis used services in the past year. The highest proportion of users (48.0%) was found among respondents who p resented both current and lifetime diagnoses and among respondents wit h comorbidity. The choice of caregiver was related also to pattern of disorders: respondents with current and comorbid disorders tended to c onsult general practitioners, while respondents with lifetime disorder s or with lifetime and current disorders favoured specialized care. In line with other studies, self-perception of mental health, gender and marital status were related to utilization; unlike other studies, att itudes and age were not. It is argued that particularities found in th is study stem not only from methodological considerations, but also fr om the configuration of the mental health system in Quebec, where the greater availability of psychologists may facilitate service utilizati on.