US Mental Health Resource Utilization in Major Depressive Disorder With Suicidal Ideation

Introduction: Major depressive disorder (MDD) and suicidal ideation/behavior, both incur substantial mental health resource utilization (MHRU) burden, yet little is known of the burden of suicidal ideation/ behavior within the MDD population and how this burden varies by demographic factors.

Methods: Cross-sectional study based on 2017 NSDUH survey data comparing MHRU among 3 cohorts: 1) MDD with suicidal ideation (MDD+SI) (reported major depressive episode and serious thoughts, plan or attempt to kill self), 2) MDD without SI and 3) neither MDD nor SI. Design-adjusted Chi-Square test was used to test associations.

Results: The MDD+SI cohort showed significantly higher MHRU than MDD without SI and those with neither illness : inpatient (10.4% v 2.2% and 0.6%, respectively; p<0.001; p<0.001); outpatient (46.8% v 33.5% and 4.7%; p<0.001; p<0.001); prescriptions (57.7% v 45.0% and 8.6%; p<0.001; p<0.001); or “any mental health treatment” (65.8% v 53.1% and 10.8%; p<0.001; p<0.001). Among MDD+SI, young adults (18-25 years) were less likely than ≥26 year-olds to have outpatient visits (40.1% v 50.4%; p=0.009), prescriptions (46.3% v 63.8%; p<0.001) or “any mental health treatment” (57.9% v 70.0%; p=0.001); and men were less likely than women to have outpatient visits (39.1% vs 51.6%; p=0.01); prescriptions (47.3% v 64.1%; p<0.001) or “any mental health treatment” (55.2% v 72.4%; p<0.001).

Conclusions: Patients with MDD+SI have significantly higher MHRU than those with MDD without SI and those with neither illness yet a third report not receiving mental health treatment. Findings also suggest potential age and gender disparities in MHRU that warrant attention.

This poster was presented at the 32nd annual Psych Congress, held Oct. 3-6, 2019, in San Diego, California.