Serious Psychological Distress and Stigma in Massachusetts

DMH Partners

Barbara Leadholm, M.S., M.B.A.DMH Commissioner

Mary Ellen Foti, M.D. Connie Maranto

Beth Lucas Kristen Roy-Bujnowski, MA

DPH Partners

John Auerbach. M.B.A.DPH Commissioner

Bruce Cohen, Ph.D.

Elena Hawk, Ph.D.

Project Background

• BRFSS: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey

• Collaboration between the Massachusetts Departments of Mental and Public Health

• Supported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and SAMHSA

• The 2007 Kessler 6 (K-6), Stigma, and Mental Health treatment report

What is the BRFSS?

• The BRFSS is an on-going, random digit-dial telephone health questionnaire of adults 18 years and older (A Nationally representative sample) that has been in use for 24 years.

• Jointly conducted by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and all state health departments, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.

• Used to identify emerging health problems, establish and track health objectives, and develop and evaluate public health policies and programs.

BRFSS Components

• The Questionnaire collects information* about:– Chronic diseases– Injuries– Preventable infectious diseases– Health care access

• The BRFSS collects 7 out of the 10 leading health indicators identified by Healthy People 2010 Physical Activity Overweight & ObesityTobacco Use Responsible Sexual Behavior Mental Health Injury & Violence

Access to Health Care (Substance Abuse, Immunization, and Environmental Quality

are the other three)

• The Questionnaire contains:▫ A core set of questions▫ Optional additional CDC modules▫ Optional questions added by individual states

How the Massachusetts Department of Public Health uses the BRFSS

• To provide data for reporting the health of Massachusetts residents compared to the U.S. population.

• To support the development of policies and recommendations for tobacco control.

• To assess the burden of disability in Massachusetts.

• To provide information to the Bureau of Substance Abuse and the MA Tobacco Control Program

• To provide data to the HIV/AIDS Bureau to inform needle exchange program policy

• To provide information regarding the availability of flu vaccinations

• To evaluate the effectiveness of various public health programs; ex. the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program, the Diabetes Awareness Program

• To assess the health issues of Hispanic residents in

Massachusetts during 1997-2001. • To estimate the intake of

calcium supplements in Massachusetts women

CDC Population Mental Health Surveillance •The CDC is using two psychological measures

for population mental health surveillance: The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) and the Kessler 6 (K/6). ▫The modules are implemented on alternating

years.

What is the PHQ-8?2006 & 2008• PHQ-8: The Patient Health Questionnaire¹• Self report survey about emotions or behaviors

associated with depression experienced over a two week period*

• Valid in detecting depression in the general population¹• Culturally sensitive² • Score ranges from 0-24 (or the total number of days an

emotion/behavior is experienced over a two week period)• The score is converted to a point scale based upon CDC

developed algorithms

¹Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, & Williams JBW.(2001) The PHQ-9 Validity of a brief depression severity measure. Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, & Williams JBW.(2001) The PHQ-9 Validity of a brief depression severity measure. Journal of General Internal MedicineJournal of General Internal Medicine 16 (9), 606-613.

² ² Huang FY, Chung H, Kroenke K, Delucchi KL, & Spitzer RL (2006) Using the Patient Health Questionnaire-Huang FY, Chung H, Kroenke K, Delucchi KL, & Spitzer RL (2006) Using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 to Measure Depression among Racially and Ethnically Diverse Primary Care Patients 9 to Measure Depression among Racially and Ethnically Diverse Primary Care Patients Journal of General Journal of General Internal MedicineInternal Medicine 21 (6), 547–552. 21 (6), 547–552.

What is the K-6¹?2007 & 2009

• The Kessler 6 (K-6) is a screening instrument for non-specific psychological distress

• Contains six questions measuring symptoms over a one month period

• A score of 13 or greater indicates serious psychological distress (SPD)▫ Provides estimates of mental health disorders in a population,

such as mood and anxiety

¹ Kessler, R. C. et al (2002). Short screening scales to monitor population prevalences and trends in non-specific psychological distress. Psychological Medicine, Vol 32(6):959-976 .

Stigma and Mental Health Treatment2007 & 2009•Additional questions about stigma and mental

health treatment were added to the K/6 module▫Stigma is a public health issue because people

may be in denial of symptoms, avoid screening or discourage others from being screened, and untreated symptoms can become worse.¹

¹ Kobau, R. (2007). Assessment of Mental Illness Stigma--Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Presentation at the K6 Workgroup Conference call. CDC Division of Adult & Community Health SAMHSA Center for Mental Health Services.

2007 Project Goals and Structure

• The K-6 , Stigma, and Mental Health Treatment questions :• Provide state prevalence estimates on serious

psychological distress

• Identify relationships between serious psychological distress (SPD), chronic conditions & behavioral risk factors

• Provide state prevalence estimates on stigma

• Provide state prevalence estimates on mental health treatment

• The Project Structure• In Massachusetts• Initiated by SAMHSA to facilitate collaboration between

states’ departments of mental and public health

• DMH provided data analysis, psychiatric consultation, quality review and infrastructure support

• DPH provided raw data, consultation, and on-going statistical analysis support

Analyses

• BRFSS respondent answers are weighted using Massachusetts population estimates to produce statewide prevalence rates

• We examined relationships between self-reported serious psychological distress and:▫ Drinking, Smoking, Obesity & Exercise▫ Stroke, Cardiovascular Disease & Diabetes▫ Employment▫ Health care access▫ Suicide▫ Racial disparities

Massachusetts Prevalence of SPD

An estimated 3.1% (approximately 155,000) of the adult Massachusetts Population has serious psychological distress**

Prevalence of SPD by Gender

Prevalence of SPD by Age

Prevalence of SPD by Race/Ethnicity

*Significant at the p< .05 level

Prevalence of SPD by Martial Status

*Significant at the p< .05 level

Prevalence of SPD by Education

*Significant at the p< .05 level

Prevalence of SPD by Employment Status

*Significant at the p< .05 level

Prevalence of SPD by Health Care Access

*Significant at the p< .05 level

Prevalence of SPD by Chronic Health Conditions

*Significant at the p< .05 level

Prevalence of SPD by Health Behaviors

*Significant at the p< .05 level

Quality of Life Indicators by Serious Psychological Distress

*Significant at the p< .05 level

Treatment can help people with mental illness lead normal lives

People are generally caring and sympathetic to people with mental illness

Prevalence of Mental Health Treatment by Gender

*Significant at the p< .05 level

Prevalence of Mental Health Treatment by Age

Prevalence of Mental Health Treatment by Race/Ethnicity

Prevalence of Mental Health Treatment by Marital Status

*Significant at the p< .05 level

Prevalence of Mental Health Treatment by Education

Prevalence of Mental Health Treatment by Employment

*Significant at the p< .05 level

Prevalence of Mental Health Treatment by Veteran Status

Prevalence of Mental Health Treatment by Health Care Access

*Significant at the p< .05 level

Summary:Who has the highest prevalence rates of SPD in Massachusetts?

• Hispanics have the highest prevalence rates of SPD and it is statistically significant when compared to White, non-Hispanics.

• Those with less than a High School degree.

• People who have been previously married or never married.

• Those who are unable to work or are currently unemployed.

• Those who were unable to see a physician due to cost.

• People with chronic heart disease, diabetes, and asthma.

• People who are current smokers, do not exercise, are obese, and participate in binge drinking.

Summary:Stigma and Massachusetts

• Most people in Massachusetts agreed strongly that treatment can help people with mental illness lead normal lives.

• Respondents agreed slightly that people are generally caring and sympathetic towards those with a mental illness.

Summary:Who received mental health treatment in Massachusetts during 2007?

• Females

• Those who have been previously married or never married.

• Those who are unable to work or are currently unemployed.

• Those who needed to see a doctor but were unable to due to cost.

SummaryThe K/6 and PHQ-8•The K/6 and PHQ-8 two different mental health

issues: non-specific psychological distress and depression▫The PHQ-8, an estimated 7.9% of the

Massachusetts population had diagnosable depression

▫The K/6, 3.1%, of the population reported SPD

SummaryThe K/6 and PHQ-8•Adults aged 18-25 reported the highest rates of

depression (15%)•25-34 year olds had the highest rates of SPD▫This is interesting in that National data reports

high SPD rates for 18-25 (17.9%)*•Non-Hispanic Blacks reported the highest rates

of depression in 2006 (15.4%) •Hispanics had the highest rates of SPD (9.1%)*2007 National Survey on Drug Use & Health (NSDUH) Data, SAMHSA; http://oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh/2k7nsduh/2k7results.pdf

SummaryThe K/6 and PHQ-8

• Despite the different mental health issues, similar significant patterns of chronic health issues and lifestyle behaviors were found.

Both measures demonstrate that persons who are/have •Unemployed (PHQ-8: 25.8%; K6: 7.2%)•Current smokers (PHQ-8: 14.1%; K6: 7.7%)•Obese (PHQ-8: 13.4%; K6: 6.2%)•Diabetes (PHQ-8: 13.7%; K6: 8.5%) •Were unable to see a doctor when needed due

to cost (PHQ-8: 26.5%; K6:10.5%)▫Have higher rates of a mental health issues▫These results illustrate the ongoing need to

recognize the relationship between physical and emotional health in chronic conditions.

Next Steps

•Distribute to Secretary Bigby and to the heads of the other Health and Human Agencies

•Continue joint collaborations regarding future analyses of psychiatric/behavioral health modules included in MA BRFSS questionnaires.

• Include recommendations to state agencies on identification and prevention of depression within the general population.