A Recovery-Oriented Intervention for People With Psychosis: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of critical time intervention-task shifting (CTI-TS) for people with psychosis in Santiago, Chile, and Rio de Janeiro. CTI-TS is a 9-month intervention involving peer support workers and is designed to maintain treatment effects up to 18 months. METHODS: A total of 110 people with psychosis were recruited when they enrolled in community mental health clinics (Santiago, N=60; Rio de Janeiro, N=50). Participants within each city were randomly assigned to either CTI-TS or usual care for 9 months. Primary outcomes were quality of life, measured with the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment-Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF), and unmet needs, measured with the Camberwell Assessment of Need (CAN), at 18-month follow-up. Results were analyzed according to intention-to-treat guidelines. Generalized estimating equations, with observations clustered within cities, and multiple imputation for missing data were used. RESULTS: At 18 months, both groups showed improved primary outcomes. In both unadjusted and fully adjusted analyses, no significant differences between CTI-TS and usual care (WHOQOL-BREF question on quality of life and CAN mean number of unmet needs) were found. CONCLUSIONS: Three factors might explain the lack of difference between CTI-TS and usual care: first-contact enrollment precluded rapport prior to randomization, a minority of patients were uncomfortable with peers being on the treatment team, and primary outcome measures may not have been sensitive enough to capture the effects of a recovery-oriented intervention. The results have implications for the design of transitional services for people with psychosis, especially in Latin America.

Um estudo longitudinal sobre a influência do internato em saúde mental na redução de atitudes negativas de estudantes de Medicina em relação a portadores de transtornos mentais / A longitudinal study on the impact of mental health internship in reducing negative attitudes of medical students towards people with mental disorders

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar o efeito do internato em saúde mental nas atitudes dos alunos de medicina quanto ao portador de transtorno mental (PTM). Métodos Atitudes foram avaliadas por questionário antes e depois do internato, por meio dos fatores: "aceitação social de PTM" (F1), "não acreditar em causas sobrenaturais para doença mental" (F2), "papéis sociais comuns para PTM" (F3), "acreditar em causas psicossociais para doença mental" (F4), "intimidade" (F5). Diferenças foram avaliadas por meio de testes t, fatores confundidores por ANOVA e correlações entre expectativa de melhora e fatores por Pearson. Resultados 74 de 85 alunos responderam ao questionário. Houve redução significativa em quatro fatores avaliados (F1, p < 0,001, F2, p = 0,002, F3, p = 0,04, F5, p < 0,001). Uma associação entre ter um amigo PTM e F3 foi identificada antes do curso (p = 0,04), porém não após (p = 0,13). Houve correlação positiva entre crenças de melhora e atitudes negativas com o F2 antes do curso (p = 0,01), mas não após. F5 esteve relacionado com a expectativa de melhora (p < 0,001) após o curso, indicando melhores atitudes quando melhor expectativa. Observou-se a melhora da expectativa quanto a resposta ao tratamento da esquizofrenia (p = 0,02), transtorno bipolar (p = 0,03) e transtorno de ansiedade (p = 0,03). Conclusões O internato esteve associado à redução de atitudes negativas com relação aos PTMs. O contato direto com o paciente parece ter influência direta nessa redução. Acreditamos que, mais importante do que possíveis efeitos de esclarecimento sobre causas do adoecimento, a desconstrução do mito sobre o louco violento é essencial para a melhora das atitudes. Estudos com populações de outras regiões do Brasil e voltadas para avaliação do medo de violência são necessários para a confirmação dessa hipótese e do efeito do internato sobre os alunos.

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate and measure the effects of mental health internship on Medicine Students (MS) attitudes towards people with mental illness (PMI). Methods MS was submitted to an attitude questionnaire previously and after the mental health internship. Their attitudes were measured inside five factors: (F1) "social acceptance of PMI", (F2) "normalizing roles for PMI", (F3) "non-belief in supernatural causes for mental illness", (F4) "belief in bio-psychosocial causes for mental illness," and (F5) "near contact with PTM". T-tests were used to evaluate factor differences, confounding factor were analyzed by ANOVA and correlations through Pearson's correlation test. Results 74 of 85 students responded. There were a significant reduction in four factors (F1, p < 0.001, F2, p = 0.002, F3, p = 0.04, F5, p < 0.001). An association between having a PMI friend and F3 was identified before the course (p = 0.04), but not after (p = 0.13). A positive correlation was identified between belief in disease improvement and negative F2 attitudes before course (p = 0.01), but not after (0.40). F5 was related with disease improvement after course (p < 0.001), suggesting positive attitudes when improvement is expected. There were an increase in improvement expectations after course for schizophrenia (p = 0.02), bipolar disorder (p = 0.03) and anxiety (p = 0.03). Conclusions Mental health internship was related to a decrease in negative attitudes towards PMI. Personal contact seems to influence this improvement. We believe that the reduction of fear toward PMI is more powerful to reduce stigma than the acquisition of knowledge about its natural causes. More studies with a regionally distinct population in Brazil and aimed to measure the impact of fear are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.

Implementing the protocol of a pilot randomized controlled trial for the recovery-oriented intervention to people with psychoses in two Latin American cities.

Several Latin American countries have made remarkable strides towards offering community mental health care for people with psychoses. Nonetheless, mental health clinics generally have a very limited outreach in the community, tending to have weaker links to primary health care; rarely engaging patients in providing care; and usually not providing recovery-oriented services. This paper describes a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of Critical Time Intervention-Task Shifting (CTI-TS) aimed at addressing such limitations. The pilot RCT was conducted in Santiago (Chile) and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). We included 110 people with psychosis in the study, who were recruited at the time of entry into community mental health clinics. Trial participants were randomly divided into CTI-TS intervention and usual care. Those allocated to the intervention group received usual care and, in addition, CTI-TS services over a 9-month period. Primary outcomes include quality of life (WHO Quality of Life Scale - Brief Version) and unmet needs (Camberwell Assessment of Needs) at the 18-month follow-up. Primary outcomes at 18 months will be analyzed by Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE), with observations clustered within sites. We will use three-level multilevel models to examine time trends on the primary outcomes. Similar procedures will be used for analyzing secondary outcomes. Our hope is that this trial provides a foundation for planning a large-scale multi-site RCT to establish the efficacy of recovery-oriented interventions such as CTI-TS in Latin America.

Implementing the protocol of a pilot randomized controlled trial for the recovery-oriented intervention to people with psychoses in two Latin American cities / Implementação de um protocolo para um estudo piloto randomizado e controlado sobre uma intervenção voltada para a recuperação em pessoas com psicoses em duas cidades latino-americanas / Implementando un protocolo para una prueba piloto controlada aleatorizada en una intervención orientada a la recuperación de personas con psicosis en dos ciudades latinoamericanas

Several Latin American countries have made remarkable strides towards offering community mental health care for people with psychoses. Nonetheless, mental health clinics generally have a very limited outreach in the community, tending to have weaker links to primary health care; rarely engaging patients in providing care; and usually not providing recovery-oriented services. This paper describes a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of Critical Time Intervention-Task Shifting (CTI-TS) aimed at addressing such limitations. The pilot RCT was conducted in Santiago (Chile) and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). We included 110 people with psychosis in the study, who were recruited at the time of entry into community mental health clinics. Trial participants were randomly divided into CTI-TS intervention and usual care. Those allocated to the intervention group received usual care and, in addition, CTI-TS services over a 9-month period. Primary outcomes include quality of life (WHO Quality of Life Scale - Brief Version) and unmet needs (Camberwell Assessment of Needs) at the 18-month follow-up. Primary outcomes at 18 months will be analyzed by Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE), with observations clustered within sites. We will use three-level multilevel models to examine time trends on the primary outcomes. Similar procedures will be used for analyzing secondary outcomes. Our hope is that this trial provides a foundation for planning a large-scale multi-site RCT to establish the efficacy of recovery-oriented interventions such as CTI-TS in Latin America.

Diversos países latino-americanos já alcançaram avanços notáveis na oferta de assistência em saúde mental para pessoas com psicoses. No entanto, as clínicas de saúde mental geralmente realizam atividades de extensão muito limitadas dentro das comunidades, tendem a ter vínculos fracos com a assistência primária, raramente envolvem os próprios pacientes nos cuidados e poucas vezes prestam serviços orientados para a recuperação. O artigo descreve um estudo piloto randomizado e controlado sobre a Critical Time Intervention-Task Shifting (CTI-TS), que teve como objetivo analisar essas limitações. O estudo piloto foi realizado em Santiago (Chile) e no Rio de Janeiro (Brasil). Teve como meta a inclusão de 110 pessoas com psicose, recrutadas no momento da entrada em clínicas comunitárias de saúde mental. Os participantes foram randomizados para o CTI-TS ou para os cuidados usuais. Aqueles alocados ao grupo da intervenção receberam os cuidados usuais e os serviços de CTI-TS ao longo de 9 meses. Os desfechos primários incluíram a qualidade de vida (WHO Quality of Life Scale - Brief Version) e as necessidades não atendidas (Camberwell Assessment of Needs) no acompanhamento aos 18 meses. Os desfechos primários aos 18 meses serão analisados com a técnica de Equações de Estimação Generalizadas (GEE), com as observações agrupadas dentro dos locais do estudo. Serão utilizados modelos em três níveis para examinar as tendências temporais nos desfechos primários. Procedimentos semelhantes serão utilizados para analisar os resultados secundários. Espera-se que o estudo forneça uma base para planejar um estudo randomizado e controlado em grande escala e em múltiplos locais para estabelecer a eficácia da intervenção orientada para a recuperação, a exemplo da CTI-TS, na América Latina.

resumen está disponible en el texto completo

Attitudes of Brazilian Medical Students Towards Psychiatric Patients and Mental Illness: A Quantitative Study Before and After Completing the Psychiatric Clerkship.

OBJECTIVE: The authors evaluated whether a psychiatric clerkship reduces stigmatized attitudes towards people with mental illness among medical students. METHODS: A 56-item questionnaire was used to assess the attitudes of medical students towards patients with mental illness and their beliefs about its causes before and after their participation in their psychiatric clerkship at a major medical school in Rio de Janeiro. Exploratory factor analysis identified four factors, reflecting "social acceptance of people with mental illness," "normalizing roles for people with mental illness in society," "non-belief in supernatural causes for mental illness," and "belief in bio-psychosocial causes for mental illness." Analysis of variance was used to evaluate changes in these factors before and after the clerkship. RESULTS: One significant difference was identified with a higher score on the factor representing social acceptance after as compared to before the clerkship (p = 0.0074). No significant differences were observed on the other factors. CONCLUSION: Participation in a psychiatric clerkship was associated with greater social acceptance but not with improvement on other attitudinal factors. This may reflect ceiling effects in responses before the clerkship concerning supernatural and bio-psychosocial beliefs about causes of mental illness that left little room for change.

Medical Student Beliefs and Attitudes Toward Mental Illness Across Five Nations.

Negative attitudes toward people with mental illness are a widespread concern and may vary across countries. This study used a 36-item questionnaire to compare attitudes toward people with mental illness and beliefs about the causes of mental illness among medical students from the United States, Brazil, Ghana, Nigeria, and China (N = 1131). Exploratory factor analysis identified the underlying factor structure of the questionnaire, and analysis of covariance was then used to compare factors representing four nonstigmatized attitudes across students from the five countries. US Medical students scored highest on all four factors, followed by those from Brazil. Nigerian and Ghanaian students scored lowest on nonsupernatural etiology of mental illness, and Chinese students showed the lowest score on personal social acceptance and public policy acceptance of people with mental illness. Differences in medical student attitudes between these five countries suggest underlying sociocultural differences in attitudes with the more stigmatized attitudes in developing countries.

Witchcraft and Biopsychosocial Causes of Mental Illness: Attitudes and Beliefs About Mental Illness Among Health Professionals in Five Countries.

This study examines the intercorrelation of measures reflecting beliefs about and attitudes toward people with mental illness in a sample of health professionals (N = 902) from five countries: Brazil, China, Ghana, Nigeria, and the United States, and, more specifically, the association of beliefs in supernatural as contrasted with biopsychosocial causes of mental illness. Factor analysis of a 43-item questionnaire identified four factors favoring a) socializing with people with mental illness; b) normalizing their roles in society; c) belief in supernatural causes of mental illness (e.g., witchcraft, curses); and d) belief in biopsychosocial causes of mental illness. Unexpectedly, a hypothesized negative association between belief in supernatural and biopsychosocial causation of mental illness was not found. Belief in the biopsychosocial causation was weakly associated with less stigmatized attitudes towards socializing and normalized roles.

Cross-National Analysis of Beliefs and Attitude Toward Mental Illness Among Medical Professionals From Five Countries.

This quantitative study sought to compare beliefs about the manifestation, causes and treatment of mental illness and attitudes toward people with mental illness among health professionals from five countries: the United States, Brazil, Ghana, Nigeria, and China. A total of 902 health professionals from the five countries were surveyed using a questionnaire addressing attitudes towards people with mental illness and beliefs about the causes of mental illness. Chi-square and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to compare age and gender of the samples. Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to confirm the structure and fit of the hypothesized model based on data from a previous study that identified four factors: socializing with people with mental illness (socializing), belief that people with mental illness should have normal roles in society (normalizing), non-belief in supernatural causes (witchcraft or curses), and belief in bio-psycho-social causes of mental illness (bio-psycho-social). Analysis of Covariance was used to compare four factor scores across countries adjusting for differences in age and gender. Scores on all four factors were highest among U.S. professionals. The Chinese sample showed lowest score on socializing and normalizing while the Nigerian and Ghanaian samples were lowest on non-belief in supernatural causes of mental illness. Responses from Brazil fell between those of the U.S. and the other countries. Although based on convenience samples of health professional robust differences in attitudes among health professionals between these five countries appear to reflect underlying socio-cultural differences affecting attitudes of professionals with the greater evidence of stigmatized attitudes in developing countries.

A cross-national factor analytic comparison of three models of PANSS symptoms in schizophrenia.

The 30-item Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) is used worldwide in the assessment of symptom severity in schizophrenia. The present study uses confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to compare three different factorial models and to evaluate the best-fitting representation of schizophrenia symptom structure on the PANSS across four samples of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia from the US (the CATIE schizophrenia trial), São Paulo, Brazil, and from Beijing and Changsha, China. We examine the goodness of fit of several previously proposed models. The traditional trifactorial model for the PANSS and two five-factor models were evaluated using absolute and incremental indices. Single group CFA found that the five-factor model proposed by NIMH researchers based on an extensive literature review demonstrates the best fit in each of the four samples. This model used 20 of the 30 PANSS items grouped into five factors: positive, negative, disorganized, excited, and depressed symptoms. Subgroups defined by age, gender, nationality, hospitalization status, and severity of illness also did not differ in overall symptom structure as assessed by several standard indices. Our findings suggest that the five factor NIMH model showed the best representation among all four samples from different countries and potentially contrasting cultures.

Global mental health reforms: Challenges in developing a community-based program for maltreated children and adolescents in Brazil.

This column describes the planning and development of The Equilibrium Program (TEP) for multiply traumatized and neglected children and adolescents with mental and general medical problems in São Paulo, Brazil. The program is a partnership between university faculty, various service providers, the courts, and the city government. In the first step, child psychiatry faculty from the University of São Paulo visited central-city areas and group shelters to talk to street youths to better understand their needs. A nearby community sports center building was chosen to be a center where youths could access services and engage in recreational activities and where the work of family integration could be facilitated. A multidisciplinary team conducts an in-depth assessment and creates an intervention plan, overseen by a case manager. Challenges to implementing such programs are discussed.

Functional outcomes of maltreated children and adolescents in a community-based rehabilitation program in Brazil: six-month improvement and baseline predictors.

This study sought to implement outcomes monitoring and to review outcome data from a community-based rehabilitation program for maltreated children and adolescents in São Paulo, Brazil. Maltreated children and adolescents (N=452) were enrolled in The Equilibrium Program (TEP), a multidisciplinary community-based rehabilitation program. About half (n=230) of the participants were successfully evaluated using the Children's Global Assessment Scale (C-GAS) at entry, 3, and/or 6 months later. Analysis of outcomes used hierarchical linear modeling of functional change from baseline. With a baseline C-GAS score of 51.7 (SD=14.22), average improvement was 2.8 and 5.5 points at 3 and 6 months, respectively (reflecting small to moderate effect sizes=0.20 and 0.39). Improvement was associated with Problems related to upbringing (p<.02) at entry and absence of Physical abuse (p<.05) and Negative life events in childhood (p<.05) but was not associated with sociodemographics or any specific psychiatric diagnosis. This study showed that outcomes monitoring is feasible in a community-based program in a developing country. Although there was no untreated control group for comparison and specific evidence-based treatments were not used, it is notable that significant improvement, with small to moderate effect size, was observed.

Association of child maltreatment and psychiatric diagnosis in Brazilian children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between different types of child maltreatment and the presence of psychiatric disorders in highly vulnerable children and adolescents served by a multidisciplinary program. METHODS: In total, 351 patients with a mean age of 12.47, of whom 68.7% were male and 82.1% lived in shelters, underwent psychiatric evaluations based on the Kiddie-Sads-Present and Lifetime Version. Two different methods were used to evaluate maltreatment: medical records were reviewed to identify previous diagnoses related to socioeconomic and psychosocial circumstances, and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire was used to obtain a structured history of trauma. Bivariate associations were evaluated between psychiatric disorders and evidence of each type and the frequency of abuse. RESULTS: The most frequent psychiatric diagnoses were substance use disorders, affective disorders and specific disorders of early childhood, whereas 13.67% of the sample had no psychiatric diagnosis. All patients suffered neglect, and 58.4% experienced physical or sexual abuse. The presence of a history of multiple traumas was only associated with a diagnosis of substance use disorder. Mental retardation showed a strong positive association with reported physical abuse and emotional neglect. However, a negative correlation was found when we analyzed the presence of a history of multiple traumas and mental retardation. CONCLUSION: All children living in adverse conditions deserve careful assistance, but we found that physical abuse and emotional neglect were most strongly associated with mental retardation and multiple traumas with substance abuse.

Association of child maltreatment and psychiatric diagnosis in Brazilian children and adolescents

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between different types of child maltreatment and the presence of psychiatric disorders in highly vulnerable children and adolescents served by a multidisciplinary program. METHODS: In total, 351 patients with a mean age of 12.47, of whom 68.7% were male and 82.1% lived in shelters, underwent psychiatric evaluations based on the Kiddie-Sads-Present and Lifetime Version. Two different methods were used to evaluate maltreatment: medical records were reviewed to identify previous diagnoses related to socioeconomic and psychosocial circumstances, and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire was used to obtain a structured history of trauma. Bivariate associations were evaluated between psychiatric disorders and evidence of each type and the frequency of abuse. RESULTS: The most frequent psychiatric diagnoses were substance use disorders, affective disorders and specific disorders of early childhood, whereas 13.67% of the sample had no psychiatric diagnosis. All patients suffered neglect, and 58.4% experienced physical or sexual abuse. The presence of a history of multiple traumas was only associated with a diagnosis of substance use disorder. Mental retardation showed a strong positive association with reported physical abuse and emotional neglect. However, a negative correlation was found when we analyzed the presence of a history of multiple traumas and mental retardation. CONCLUSION: All children living in adverse conditions deserve careful assistance, but we found that physical abuse and emotional neglect were most strongly associated with mental retardation and multiple traumas with substance abuse. .

The impact of psychiatric diagnosis on treatment adherence and duration among victimized children and adolescents in São Paulo, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the high prevalence of substance abuse and mood disorders among victimized children and adolescents, few studies have investigated the association of these disorders with treatment adherence, represented by numbers of visits per month and treatment duration. We aimed to investigate the effects of substance abuse and mood disorders on treatment adherence and duration in a special program for victimized children in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A total of 351 participants were evaluated for psychiatric disorders and classified into one of five groups: mood disorders alone; substance abuse disorders alone; mood and substance abuse disorders; other psychiatric disorders; no psychiatric disorders. The associations between diagnostic classification and adherence to treatment and the duration of program participation were tested with logistic regression and survival analysis, respectively. RESULTS: Children with mood disorders alone had the highest rate of adherence (79.5%); those with substance abuse disorders alone had the lowest (40%); and those with both disorders had an intermediate rate of adherence (50%). Those with other psychiatric disorders and no psychiatric disorders also had high rates of adherence (75.6% and 72.9%, respectively). Living with family significantly increased adherence for children with substance abuse disorders but decreased adherence for those with no psychiatric disorders. The diagnostic correlates of duration of participation were similar to those for adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Mood and substance abuse disorders were strong predictive factors for treatment adherence and duration, albeit in opposite directions. Living with family seems to have a positive effect on treatment adherence for patients with substance abuse disorders. More effective treatment is needed for victimized substance-abusing youth.

The impact of psychiatric diagnosis on treatment adherence and duration among victimized children and adolescents in São Paulo, Brazil

OBJECTIVE: Despite the high prevalence of substance abuse and mood disorders among victimized children and adolescents, few studies have investigated the association of these disorders with treatment adherence, represented by numbers of visits per month and treatment duration. We aimed to investigate the effects of substance abuse and mood disorders on treatment adherence and duration in a special program for victimized children in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A total of 351 participants were evaluated for psychiatric disorders and classified into one of five groups: mood disorders alone; substance abuse disorders alone; mood and substance abuse disorders; other psychiatric disorders; no psychiatric disorders. The associations between diagnostic classification and adherence to treatment and the duration of program participation were tested with logistic regression and survival analysis, respectively. RESULTS: Children with mood disorders alone had the highest rate of adherence (79.5 percent); those with substance abuse disorders alone had the lowest (40 percent); and those with both disorders had an intermediate rate of adherence (50 percent). Those with other psychiatric disorders and no psychiatric disorders also had high rates of adherence (75.6 percent and 72.9 percent, respectively). Living with family significantly increased adherence for children with substance abuse disorders but decreased adherence for those with no psychiatric disorders. The diagnostic correlates of duration of participation were similar to those for adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Mood and substance abuse disorders were strong predictive factors for treatment adherence and duration, albeit in opposite directions. Living with family seems to have a positive effect on treatment adherence for patients with substance abuse disorders. More effective treatment is needed for victimized substance-abusing youth.

Child psychiatry takes to the streets: a developmental partnership between a university institute and children and adolescents from the streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: High levels of domestic violence, mental illness, and alienation from authorities are associated with high incidence of children/adolescents living on the streets in low and middle income countries. The Equilibrium Project (Programa Equilíbrio) was created to facilitate social reintegration through a virtual partnership between an academic psychiatric institute and highly vulnerable children and adolescents living on the streets, in group shelter with supervision, and in other high risk situations. METHODS: Descriptive presentation of qualitative data and analysis of preliminary empirical data collected over a 24-month period. RESULTS: Dialogue between academic professionals, street children, and city officials shaped The Equilibrium Project over the last 2 years. The program has progressively moved from a professional clinic setting to a community-based but protected activity center with recreational and professional services and an emphasis on linkage with social service agencies, city government and law enforcement officials in an academic research context. A total of 351 patients have been served of whom virtually all were neglected by their parents, 58.4% report physical or sexual abuse, 88.89% have been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder, 40.4% drug use. After 2 years of operation, 63.5% (n=223) successfully completed or continue in treatment and 34.8% (n=122) were reunited with their families. CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Program development guided by consumer input led to a successful program offering professional services in a protected community setting that facilitates social reintegration by providing "go between" services integrating relationships between alienated consumers and formal psychiatric, pediatric, social service, and criminal justice systems.

Mental health service delivery following health system reform in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: In 1993, Colombia underwent an ambitious and comprehensive process of health system reform based on managed competition and structured pluralism, but did not include coverage for mental health services. AIMS OF THE STUDY: In this study, we sought to evaluate the impact of the reform on access to mental health services and whether there were changes in the pattern of mental health service delivery during the period after the reform. METHODS: Changes in national economic indicators and in measures of mental health and non-mental health service delivery for the years 1987 and 1997 were compared. Data were obtained from the National Administrative Department of Statistics of Colombia (DANE), the Department of National Planning and Ministry of the Treasury of Colombia, and from national official reports of mental health and non-mental health service delivery from the Ministry of Health of Colombia for the same years. RESULTS: While population-adjusted access to mental health outpatient services declined by -2.7% (-11.2% among women and +5.8% among men), access to general medical outpatient services increased dramatically by 46%. In-patient admissions showed smaller differences, with a 7% increase in mental health admissions, as compared to 22.5% increase in general medical admissions. DISCUSSION: The health reform in Colombia imposed competition across all health institutions with the intention of encouraging efficiency and financial autonomy. However, the challenge of institutional survival appears to have fallen heavily on mental health care institutions that were also expected to participate in managed competition, but that were at a serious disadvantage because their services were excluded from the compulsory standardized package of health benefits. While the Colombian health care reform intended to close the gap between those who had and those who did not have access to health services, it appears to have failed to address access to specialized mental health services, although it does seem to have promoted a change in the pattern of mental health service delivery from a reliance on costly inpatient care to more efficient outpatient services. CONCLUSIONS: Health reform in Colombia improved access to health services for the general medical services, but not for specialized mental health services. Although the primary goal of the health reform was to provide universal medical coverage, by not including mental health services in the standardized benefits package, inequities in the delivery of mental health services appear to have been perpetuated or even exacerbated. IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH CARE AND POLICY FORMULATION: If health reform in Colombia and elsewhere is to provide universal coverage and adequate access to comprehensive health care, mental health services must be added to the standardized package of health benefits and efforts to develop accessible and effective mental health treatment at the primary care level should continue. IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH: Mental health services research in Colombia should focus future studies on the differential impact of health reform on access to mental health services across regions, and between urban and rural areas.