Help Seeking and Perceived Need for Mental Health Care Among Individuals in Canada With Suicidal Behaviors

This study examined & compared help-seeking, perceived need, satisfaction with health professionals, & barriers to care in three Canadian groups: 4,872 individuals with a mental disorder without suicidal behaviours, 1,234 with suicide ideation with or without a mental disorder, & 230 with a suicide attempt with or without a mental disorder in the past year. Individuals with suicide ideation & those with suicide attempts were significantly more likely than those with a mental disorder but no suicidal behaviours to seek help & to perceive a need for care in the past year. 48% of individuals reporting suicide ideation & 24% of individuals reporting a suicide attempt did not seek help or perceive a need for help in the past year. Significant differences existed among the 3 groups in terms of satisfaction with care & barriers to receiving care in the past year. (32 refs.) JA