We have recommended that service providers pay close attention to your views about what services are needed and the extent to which you think your needs are being met. Vocational assistance and finding out about services are the top two unmet needs consumers identified in the survey. We determined unmet needs by comparing the amount of help consumers said was needed in various areas of their lives with the amount of help they reported as received. It is important that you and your service providers discuss your level of need in these areas. We have recommended that service providers focus particular attention in the areas of vocational assistance and providing information about the different types of services that are available to you.
Consumers have different perceptions than case managers about whether their needs are being met.
It's important to remember that the consumers' perceptions of needs are a better predictor of a positive mental health status than case managers' perceptions of needs. However, service providers' views often did not reflect consumers' perceptions about what needs are important and unmet. It is important for your service providers to listen to your opinions about your needs and focus more on your views when developing treatment plans. The level to which consumers feel involved in treatment planning and decisions about services is highly related to the degree to which they feel their needs are being met. Consumers who reported feeling more empowered about mental health services seem to be better able to get their needs met, and getting needs met has the greatest impact on positive mental health outcomes.