What if I needed help? Population preferences for first-line mental health treatments in the post-COVID time - Summary - MDSpire

What if I needed help? Population preferences for first-line mental health treatments in the post-COVID time

  • By

  • Voderholzer, Ulrich

  • Wuttke, Eva P.

  • Baumeister, Anna

  • Zisler, Eva M.

  • Jelinek, Lena

  • May 15, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To examine the alignment between treatment guidelines for mental disorders and public treatment preferences.

Key Findings:
  • 36% of respondents reported previous treatment experience.
  • The majority preferred psychotherapy over psychopharmacology.
  • Preference for psychotherapy varied by disorder, strongest for depression and weakest for psychotic disorders.
  • Females, individuals with prior treatment experience, and healthcare sector employees were less likely to prefer pharmacological treatment.
Interpretation:

Limitations:
  • The study did not examine the underlying reasons for the discrepancies between guideline-recommended treatments and public preferences.
Conclusion:

Original Source(s)

What if I needed help? Population preferences for first-line mental health treatments in the post-COVID time

  • by Voderholzer, Ulrich , Wuttke, Eva P., Baumeister, Anna , Zisler, Eva M., Jelinek, Lena

  • May 15, 2026

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