A model for mental health needs and resourcing in small geographic areas: A multivariate spatial perspective

This paper considers how small area variations in a set of psychiatric referral outcomes in a London health authority of 7,50,000 people may inform health need assessment and health resourcing/or mental illness based on true need, As well (is adopting a multivariate perspective, the spatial interdependence of the outcomes is included in the modelling approach outlined. By contrast, existing studies on mental health need tend to focus on single outcomes, and may not include spatial dependence. The analysis relates to three hospital referral outcomes for psychiatric conditions, and to total community mental health referrals across sixty-seven electoral wards in East London.