Objective:

To analyze the mental health care needs of the serious mental disorders (SMD) and factors associated with the use of services in Mexico.

Materials and methods:

A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in two phases, the first with a national database of available services and its utilization; the second, a sample of medical records of a psychiatric hospital.

Results:

Schizophrenia is the most prevalent MDS; more than 50% of those hospitalized were male, with an average age of 37 years. The use of services was associated with age (β=1.062, p=.000), family income (β=1.000, p=.000) and no laboral occupation (β=3.407, p=.000). The population with schizophrenia is four times more likely to require to be exempt from payment (β=4.158, p=.000).

Conclusions:

The population with SMD as schizophrenia is more vulnerable due to the associated functional and social disability and it requires specific heath interventions and a financial protection policy adapted to their mental health care needs.

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