Objective: Despite the substantial burden of mental disorders
worldwide, treatment gaps remain wide, and pathways to adequate
care are poorly understood. To address this gap, the Turkish World
Mental Health (WMH) Survey was undertaken to assess prevalence and
treatment of mental disorders in Türkiye.
Method: A nationally representative random household sample of
1,790 adults were interviewed face to face in 2020, using the DSM-5
version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI-
5). Twelve-month prevalence of anxiety, mood, and externalizing
disorders were assessed along with disorder-specific treatment, sector
of care, minimally adequate treatment (MAT), and socio-demographic
correlates.
Results: As detailed in a previous report, twelve-month prevalence of
any DSM-5 disorder assessed in this study was 23.9%, with anxiety
(17.2%) and mood (12.4%) disorders most common. Only 20.9%
of individuals with a disorder received any treatment, most from the
mental health specialty sector (17.4%). Among treated cases, 31.7%
met criteria for MAT, resulting in 6.6% (i. e., 20.9% x 31.7%) of cases
receiving MAT. Treatment rates increased with disorder severity, but
MAT among the treated did not increase with severity. Being female,
and previously married were associated with significantly elevated rates
of treatment, while the never married had a significantly reduced rate
of treatment.
Conclusion: One in five people with mental disorders in Türkiye receive
some form of treatment; even fewer receive treatment that meets the
criteria of being at least minimally adequate. These findings highlight
the need to strengthen mental health service coverage, integrate mental
health into primary care, and reduce sociodemographic inequalities.
Keywords: CIDI-5, DSM-5, mental health, treatment, Türkiye