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Using novel methodology to estimate the prevalence of mental disorders in British Columbia, Canada

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Abstract

Purpose

A needs-based model of health systems planning uses a systematic estimate of service needs for a given population. Our objective was to derive annual prevalence estimates of specific mental disorders in the adult population of British Columbia, Canada and use a novel triangulation approach encompassing multiple data sources and stratifying these estimates by age, sex, and severity to inform Ministry partners, who commissioned this work.

Methods

We performed systematic literature reviews and subsequent meta-analyses to derive an annual prevalence estimate for each mental disorder. We then generated age- and sex-specific estimates by triangulating published epidemiological studies, routinely collected province-wide health administrative data, and nationally representative health survey data sources. The age- and sex-specific estimates were further stratified by severity using the Global Burden of Disease severity distributions and published literature.

Results

Anxiety disorders had the highest annual prevalence estimates (6.93%), followed by depressive disorders (6.42%). All other mental disorders had an annual prevalence of less than 1%. Prevalence estimates were consistently higher in younger age groups. Depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders were higher in women, while estimates for bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, and ADHD were slightly higher in men in younger age groups.

Conclusion

We generated robust annual prevalence estimates stratified by age, sex, and severity using a triangulation approach. Variation by age, sex, and severity implies that these factors need to be considered when planning for mental health services. Our approach is replicable and can be used as a model for needs-based planning in other jurisdictions.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to recognize the enormous contribution to this work made by Dr. Elliot Goldner, who conceived the project as principal investigator but sadly passed before its completion. Elliot’s leadership, guidance, and passion for improving the lives of people living with mental and substance use disorders will be remembered. We would also like to acknowledge Rebecca Zappelli, Arthur Yee, and Te Su who contributed to the project’s earlier phases.

Funding

This work was supported by the British Columbia Ministry of Health and the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research. The authors have no competing interest to declare.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada

    Ridhwana Kaoser, Wayne Jones, Will Small, Daniel Vigo & Hasina Samji

  2. Providence Health Care, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Corinne Tallon

  3. British Columbia Centre On Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Will Small

  4. Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Naomi Dove & Daniel Vigo

  5. British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, Canada

    Hasina Samji

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  1. Ridhwana Kaoser
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Correspondence to Hasina Samji.

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Kaoser, R., Jones, W., Dove, N. et al. Using novel methodology to estimate the prevalence of mental disorders in British Columbia, Canada. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 58, 153–162 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-022-02366-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-022-02366-z

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