[Mental distress and the use of psychiatric and psychotherapeutic treatments services: results of the Study of Health in Pomerania].

OBJECTIVE

Due to the lack of adequate data on the need of psychiatric and psychotherapeutic care in the community, an evidence-based goal directed development of treatment systems in socioeconomically poorer regions in former Eastern Germany is not feasible.

METHOD

A community sample from the Study of Health in Pomerania (N = 4310) was investigated with the "Beschwerdenliste" from von Zerssen. The met and the unmet need of care were estimated.

RESULTS

3.1 % of all subjects were treated at least once by a mental health professional during the last 12 months. 12 % of the subjects, currently not in treatment, were estimated to be highly distressed by psychopathological symptoms and were considered to be potentially in need of mental health care. From this follows a treatment rate of 20 %. Subjects with high mental stress consulted their GP's, internists, orthopedics and neurologists significantly more often than subjects with low mental stress.

CONCLUSION

A considerable need of psychiatric and psychotherapeutic treatment facilities has to be faced. Besides the improvement of psychiatric and psychotherapeutic treatment facilities, psychosocial networks should be established in order to provide an integrative and interdisciplinary approach to mental problems in the community.