Comparison of national trends in mental health service use intensity in Canadian military and civilian populations

Abstract

LAY SUMMARY It is important that individuals who need mental health services receive adequate care. Mental health service use (MHSU) intensity is one measure of care adequacy. This study compares changes in the past decade in mental health service use intensity in Canadian military members and civilians. Mental health service intensity increased in both military and comparable civilians over the past decade. These findings show improvements in adequacy of care and are consistent with other studies reporting improvements in other aspects of mental health service use. However, there is a need to look at other indicators of care adequacy, such as the type of care received, in future studies.