Abstract
Purpose. To guide formal healthcare resource allocation for common mental disorders (CMDs), this study updates and expands earlier findings on the associations of CMD severity with treatment contact and treatment intensity. Methods. Baseline data (2019–2022) of NEMESIS-3, a prospective study of a representative cohort of Dutch adults (18–75 years), were used. Severity of 12-month CMDs was assessed with the CIDI 3.0. Using multivariate analyses, its associations with 12-month treatment contact and treatment intensity for emotional/substance-use problems were examined, both for general medical care (GMC) only and mental health care (MHC). Changes over time were identified by making comparisons with baseline data (2007–2009) of NEMESIS-2. Results. Persons with severe CMDs were more likely to have made contact with GMC only or MHC compared to persons without CMDs. Between 2007–2009 and 2019–2022 the contact rate with GMC only increased stronger for moderate cases, while the increasing contact rate with MHC did not differ across CMD severity levels. Both among users of GMC only and MHC, severe cases had a higher likelihood of receiving treatment of the highest intensity level compared to persons without CMDs. Between 2007–2009 and 2019–2022 the rate of highest treatment intensity increased stronger for severe cases using GMC only, while a trend towards a stronger decrease in this rate was found for severe cases using MHC. Conclusion. Evidence was found that treatment of CMDs in GMC has been strengthened in the past twelve years. No indications were found that allocation of MHC resources to severe cases has improved. Word count abstract: 250