Abstract
A needs assessment was done to objectively evaluate client need and determine gaps between these needs and the services provided by mental health services. The services included were standard case management, assertive case management and residential care across the Fraser Health Region in British Columbia, Canada. Assessments involved collection of data on current symptoms, functioning, and service use and needs. Results showed many specific areas where client needs were under met. A level-of-care planning model was applied to the data and results suggest that a high percentage of clients may be in fact receiving too high or too low a level of care for their needs. This method of performing a population-based needs assessment provided findings that have proved useful for planning purposes in order to ensure that community mental health services better match client need.
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Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful for the assistance of the working group and all the reviewers, case managers, residential facility staff, mental health centre managers and coordinators, and consumers who participated in this project. Research consultation, professional and consumer interviewers, honorariums, backfill for staff and other project expenses were funded by the Fraser Health authority, British Columbia, Canada.
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Hanson, L., Houde, D., McDowell, M. et al. A Population-based Needs Assessment for Mental Health Services. Adm Policy Ment Health 34, 233–242 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-006-0103-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-006-0103-x