Which of the following criteria would directly influence the types of mental health treatment needed and planned in the community?

Explanation

•Studying the demographics of the community will determine what types of treatment modalities are most needed in the community. This is the most direct assessment criteria.

•Some of the demographic indices that are important in setting priorities for planning mental health services include poverty status, family organization, population mobility, and population heterogeneity. Demographic data of the individuals in a population may also include age, sex, education levels, incomes, marital status, occupations, religion, birth and death rates, and studies on the average age at marriage or age at death. 

•If a population has a lot of younger people in an area with high mortality from drug-related deaths, this demographic data can be used to plan for services for drug-prevention education, behavioral disorder treatment, and drug treatment, but if the population is largely older the community might instead plan for more services for those with cognitive disorders and depression.

•Historically, the need for mental health services in a community was based on utilization of services, but that approach was circular in that it did not plan well for unmet needs.

•Incorrect: Religious affiliations may have an indirect effect on the mental health needs of the community.

•Incorrect: The number of recreational facilities may also have an indirect effect on the mental health needs of a community.

•Incorrect: While the opinions of the residents are important, the demographics will be a more reliable and objective indicator of the mental health needs of the community.

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