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. 2025 Feb 14:34:e8.
doi: 10.1017/S2045796025000034.

Treatment rates and delays for mental and substance use disorders: results from the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing

Louise Birrell  1 , Katrina Prior  1 , Joshua Vescovi  1 , Matthew Sunderland  1 , Tim Slade  1 , Cath Chapman  1
Affiliations

Treatment rates and delays for mental and substance use disorders: results from the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing

Louise Birrell et al. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci. .

Abstract

Aims: Prompt initial contact with a treatment provider is a critical first step in seeking help for a mental or substance use disorders (SUDs). The aim of the current study was to provide estimates of patterns and predictors of delay in making initial treatment contact based on the recently completed Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Methods: Data came a nationally representative epidemiological survey of n = 15,893 Australians. Measures included DSM-IV lifetime diagnoses of mood (MD), anxiety (AD) and SUDs; age of disorder onset; and age of first treatment contact. Correlates of treatment delay were examined.

Results: SUDs exhibited the lowest lifetime treatment rate (27%), compared to MD (94%) and ADs (85%). Individuals with AD experienced the longest delay in seeking treatment (Mdn = 11 years), followed by those with SUDs (Mdn = 8 years) and MDs (Mdn = 3 years). Females had higher odds of seeking treatment for MD and AD but lower odds for SUDs. Recent birth cohorts showed increased treatment seeking across disorders, and higher education was associated with increased treatment seeking for MD and AD. Age of onset, country of birth and co-occurring disorders had mixed associations with treatment seeking.

Conclusions: The study reveals stark disparities in treatment-seeking behaviour and delays across mental and substance use disorders, with a pronounced underutilization of services for SUDs. Additionally, attention should be directed towards early intervention for individuals with earlier symptom onset, those from earlier cohorts and those with co-occurring SUDs.

Keywords: anxiety; depression; mental health; substance use; treatment delay; treatment seeking.

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Conflict of interest statement

None declared.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Cumulative incidence curves for time from symptom onset to time first sought treatment for each disorder class.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Cumulative incidence curves for time from symptom onset to time first sought treatment for individual disorders, within each disorder class.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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