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Published in: Community Mental Health Journal 4/2013

01-08-2013 | Brief Report

Help-Seeking for Emotional Problems in Major Depression

Findings of the 2006 Estonian Health Survey

Authors: Anne Kleinberg, Anu Aluoja, Veiko Vasar

Published in: Community Mental Health Journal | Issue 4/2013

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Abstract

To study help-seeking among the general population and people with major depression. 12-month help-seeking for emotional problems was assessed in a cross-sectional 2006 Estonian Health Survey. Non-institutionalized individuals aged 18–84 years (n = 6,105) were interviewed. A major depressive episode was assessed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. The factors associated with help-seeking, received help, and health service use were analyzed. The prevalence of 12-month help-seeking for emotional symptoms was 4.8%. The rate of 12-month help-seeking in the depressed sample was 34.1%. Depressed people used non-mental health services 1.5–3 times more than non-depressed persons even when adjusted for the chronic somatic disorder. Only one third of depressed persons sought help, which was most of all associated with severity of depression. Underdiagnosis and undertreatment of depression leads to an increased use of expensive but non-specific health services by depressed persons.
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Metadata
Title
Help-Seeking for Emotional Problems in Major Depression
Findings of the 2006 Estonian Health Survey
Authors
Anne Kleinberg
Anu Aluoja
Veiko Vasar
Publication date
01-08-2013
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Community Mental Health Journal / Issue 4/2013
Print ISSN: 0010-3853
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2789
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-012-9499-9

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