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Regional variation in mental healthcare utilization and suicide: Evidence from movers in Australia

Author

Listed:
  • Karinna Saxby

    (The Melbourne Institute: Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne)

  • Thomas Buchmueller

    (Ross School of Business, University of Michigan)

  • Sonja C. de New

    (Centre for Health Economics, Monash Business School, Monash University, IZA,RWI)

  • Dennis Petrie

    (Centre for Health Economics, Monash Business School, Monash University)

Abstract

Poor mental health is a major global health issue, with many countries documenting high levels of unmet need and regional disparities in mental healthcare utilization. To determine how best to address these disparities, it is important to understand what drives regional variation. Using Census-linked microdata from Australia, we exploit cross-region migration to identify the extent to which patient and place factors drive regional variation in utilization of mental healthcare services and mental health prescriptions (antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics). We find that place factors account for approximately 72% and 19% of the regional variation in utilization of mental healthcare services and mental health prescriptions, respectively, with the rest reflecting patient-related demand. We also find suggestive evidence that larger place effects predict fewer mental health related ED presentations, self-harm hospitalizations, and suicides. Altogether, our findings suggest there is inadequate and inequitable supply in regions with low utilization, rather than inefficiently high utilization in high utilization regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Karinna Saxby & Thomas Buchmueller & Sonja C. de New & Dennis Petrie, 2025. "Regional variation in mental healthcare utilization and suicide: Evidence from movers in Australia," Papers 2025-11, Centre for Health Economics, Monash University.
    • Handle: RePEc:mhe:chemon:2025-11
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    healthcare supply; healthcare demand; mental health; regional variation; suicide;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H51 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Health
    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
    • I13 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Insurance, Public and Private
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy

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