Factors Influencing Perceived Mental Health Service Needs, Self-reported Utilization, and Barriers to Care Among Health System Faculty and Staff.

Abstract

This study examines barriers to mental health care and factors influencing perceived need and service use in medical faculty and staff. Faculty and staff at a large urban health care system completed online surveys regarding mental health status, perceived need for mental health services, and barriers to access. The sample included 2,421 participants (44.2% staff; 55.8% faculty). The most common barrier to care was limited time (60.9%). Faculty were significantly more likely than staff to report privacy concerns (33.9% vs 10.4%). Among those who perceived a need for mental health services, demographic factors (age, race/ethnicity, gender, role, and partner status) and psychiatric symptoms (suicidal ideation, anxiety, and depression) were associated with utilizing mental health services. Findings highlight the need for accessible, destigmatized mental health interventions, improved outreach, and education on health care worker treatment privacy.