Mental Health Service Utilization After Natural Disasters: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE: Natural disasters are associated with new-onset mental disorders and distress and may exacerbate preexisting mental health issues. To date, no systematic review has examined rates and correlates of mental health service (MHS) use among adults exposed to natural disasters. This study aimed to synthesize findings examining MHS use among adults exposed to natural disasters. METHODS: The review was preregistered with PROSPERO (CRD42023430815). PsycInfo, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and Scopus were searched to identify studies. Studies reporting rates or correlates of MHS use among adults exposed to natural disasters were eligible for inclusion. Narrative syntheses summarized study findings, and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool guided quality assessments. RESULTS: Forty-one articles (representing 39 studies) were identified across 18 countries. Studies were conducted in varied postdisaster settings and were characterized by considerable methodological heterogeneity. Rates of postdisaster MHS use were generally low (