Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Pathways to Mental Health Care in a Defined Geographic Area of Athens

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
GeNeDis 2022 (GeNeDis 2022)

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 1425))

  • 738 Accesses

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to explore the duration between the onset of psychopathology and the first contact either with a sectorized Community Mental Health Centre (CMHC) of Athens area or other mental health services, identify the pathways to the CMHC as well as possible sociodemographic and clinical factors affecting help-seeking behavior. The sample consisted of 355 individuals who visited the CMHC, but had sought help from another mental health care source prior to their visit to the Centre (group A), and was compared with 398 individuals who had no previous contact with any other psychiatric service (group B). The average duration of untreated mental disorders was found to be 19.85 (SD 23.113) for males of group A and 26.26 (SD 41.158) for males of group B. Among females the mean duration was found to be 18.11 (SD 27.293) for group A and 22.21 (SD 29.440) for group B, a statistically significant difference. In group A, the intervening services referred the clients at an earlier stage. The striking difference is that only eight individuals (2%) of group B (first timers) were diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia contrasting to the 61 (17.4%) counterparts of group A. Individuals in our study diagnosed with psychosis seemed to have sought help first from other mental health services and delay to visit a CMHC. People who face problems resulting from their interpersonal or professional relationships often choose to have a first contact with a CMHC. Reduction of the delay in treatment will require clearer understanding of the contributing factors. Liaison activities with public and mental health sector services and outreach interventions to increase awareness on the early recognition of psychopathologic symptoms and the need for early referral could reduce the duration of untreated mental disorders.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Bhui K, Ullrich S, Coid JW (2014) Which pathways to psychiatric care lead to earlier treatment and a shorter duration of first-episode psychosis? BMC Psychiatry 14(1):72

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  2. Ibrahim A, Hor S, Bahar OS et al (2016) Pathways to psychiatric care for mental disorders: a retrospective study of patients seeking mental health services at a public psychiatric facility in Ghana. Int J Ment Heal Syst 10(1):63

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Nuri NN, Sarker M, Ahmed HU et al (2018) Pathways to care of patients with mental health problems in Bangladesh. Int J Ment Heal Syst 12(1):39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Sahu A, Patil V, Purkayastha S et al (2019) Pathways to care for patients with bipolar-I disorder: an exploratory study from a tertiary care centre of North India. Indian J Psychol Med 41(1):68–74

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. Addington J, Heinssen RK, Robinson DG et al (2015) Duration of untreated psychosis in community treatment settings in the United States. Psychiatr Serv 66(7):753–756

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Chandradasa M, Champika L, Gunathillaka K, Mendis J (2016) Association of duration of untreated psychosis and functional level, in first episode of schizophrenia attending an outpatient clinic in Sri Lanka. J Instit Postgrad Med Res 3(E 33):1–6

    Google Scholar 

  7. Naqvi HA, Hussain S, Zaman M, Islam M (2009) Pathways to care: duration of untreated psychosis from Karachi, Pakistan. PloS One 4(10):e7409

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  8. Shrivastava A, Shah N, Johnston M et al (2010) Effects of duration of untreated psychosis on long-term outcome of people hospitalized with first episode schizophrenia. Indian J Psychiatry 52(2):164–167

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Altamura AC, Dell’Osso B, Berlin HA et al (2010) Duration of untreated illness and suicide in bipolar disorder: a naturalistic study. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 260(5):385–391

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Gumley AI, Schwannauer M, Mac Beth A et al (2014) Insight, duration of untreated psychosis and attachment in first-episode psychosis: prospective study of psychiatric recovery over 12-month follow-up. Br J Psychiatry 205(1):60–67

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Valmaggia LR, Byrne M, Day F et al (2015) Duration of untreated psychosis and need for admission in patients who engage with mental health services in the prodromal phase. Br J Psychiatry 207(2):130–134

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  12. Birchwood M, Todd P, Jackson C (1998) Early intervention in psychosis: the critical period hypothesis. Br J Psychiatry 172(suppl. 33):53–59

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Angermeyer MC, Matschinger H, Riedel-Heller SG (2001) What to do about mental disorders-help-seeking recommendations of the lay public. Acta Psychiatr Scand 103:220–225

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Bristow K, Edwards S, Funnel E et al (2011) Help seeking and access to primary Care for People from “hard-to-reach” groups with common mental health problems. Int J Family Med 2011(ID 490634):1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Doherty DT, Kartalova-O'Doherty Y (2010) Gender and self-reported mental health problems: predictors of help seeking from a general practitioner. Br J Health Psychol 15(1):213–228

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Madianos M, Stefanis C, Madianou D (1987) Prevalence of mental disorders and utilization of mental health services in two areas of greater Athens. In: Psychiatric epidemiology: process and prospects. Groom Helm, London

    Google Scholar 

  17. Madianos M, Madianou D, Stefanis C (1993) Help-seeking for psychiatric disorder from physicians and psychiatrists in Greece. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 28:285–291

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Madianos M, Zartaloudi A, Kallergis G, Alevizopoulos G (2008) Duration of untreated mental disorders and help-seeking in a sectorized Athens area. Primary Care Commun Psychiatry 13:148–154

    Google Scholar 

  19. Chan RK, Hayashi K (2010) Gender roles and help-seeking behaviour: promoting professional help among Japanese men. J Soc Work 10(3):243–262

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Madianos MG, Zartaloudi A, Alevizopoulos G, Katostaras T (2011) Attitudes toward help-seeking and duration of untreated mental disorders in a sectorized Athens area of Greece. Community Ment Health J 47(5):583–593

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Juvrud J, Rennels JL (2017) “I don’t need help”: gender differences in how gender stereotypes predict help-seeking. Sex Roles 76(1–2):27–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Oliver MI, Pearson N, Coe N, Gunnell D (2005) Help-seeking behaviour in men and women with common mental health problems: cross-sectional study. Br J Psychiatry 186(4):297–301

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Judd F, Jackson H, Komiti A et al (2006) Help-seeking by rural residents for mental health problems: the importance of agrarian values. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 40(9):769–776

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Liddon L, Kingerlee R, Barry JA (2018) Gender differences in preferences for psychological treatment, coping strategies, and triggers to help-seeking. Br J Clin Psychol 57(1):42–58

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Vogel DL, Heimerdinger-Edwards SR, Hammer JH et al (2011) “Boys don't cry”: examination of the links between endorsement of masculine norms, self-stigma, and help-seeking attitudes for men from diverse backgrounds. J Couns Psychol 58(3):368–382

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Mackenzie CS, Gekoski WL, Knox VJ (2006) Age, gender, and the underutilization of mental health services: the influence of help-seeking attitudes. Aging Ment Health 10(6):574–582

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Yousaf O, Popat A, Hunter MS (2015) An investigation of masculinity attitudes, gender, and attitudes toward psychological help-seeking. Psychol Men Mascul 16(2):234–237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Tucker JA, Vuchinich RE, Rippens PD (2004) A factor analytic study of influences on patterns of help-seeking among treated and untreated alcohol dependent persons. J Subst Abuse Treat 26:237–242

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Marino S, Gallo JJ, Ford D, Anthony JC (1995) Filters on the pathway to mental health care, I. incident mental disorders. Psychol Med 25:1135–1148

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Steel Z, McDonald R, Silore D et al (2006) Pathways to the first contact with specialist mental health care. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 40:347–354

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Broome MR, Woolley JB, Johns LC et al (2005) Outreach and support in South London (OASIS): implementation of a clinical service for prodromal psychosis and the at-risk mental state. Eur Psychiatry 20:372–378

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Karastergiou A, Mastrogianni A, Georgiadou E et al (2005) The reform of the Greek mental health services. J Ment Health 14:197–203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Judge AM, Perkins DO, Nieri J, Penn D (2005) Pathways to care in first episode psychosis: a pilot study on help-seeking precipitants and barriers to care. J Ment Health 14:465–469

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Burns T, Eichenberger A, Eich D et al (2003) Which individuals with affective symptoms seek help? Results from the Zurich epidemiological study. Acta Psychiatr Scand 108:419–426

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Roness A, Mykletun A, Dahl AA (2005) Help-seeking behaviour in patients with anxiety disorder and depression. Acta Psychiatr Scand 111:51–58

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nursing, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece

    Afroditi Zartaloudi

Authors
  1. Afroditi Zartaloudi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Afroditi Zartaloudi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Informatics, Ionian University, Corfu, Greece

    Panagiotis Vlamos

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Zartaloudi, A. (2023). Pathways to Mental Health Care in a Defined Geographic Area of Athens. In: Vlamos, P. (eds) GeNeDis 2022. GeNeDis 2022. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 1425. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-31986-0_16

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation