Appropriate utilization of mental health services has been found to be important in maintaining complete health of the individual. However, determinants such as personal, institutional and environmental factors have been found to significantly shape an individual’s utilization of mental health services. This study set out to identify the determinants of the utilization of mental health services among adults in Jos-North and Jos-South Local Government Areas of Plateau State. The study utilized quantitative research design using the descriptive cross-sectional survey method. Purposive sampling was used to select 399 adults from six selected Primary Healthcare Centres in the study setting. a four-section questionnaire was designed to collect information regarding socio-demographic characteristics, personal, institutional and environmental determinants. Data collected were analysed using simple percentages, mean and standard deviation, and inferential statistics of Spearman Rank Correlation in analysing the research hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that there is a significant relationship between the personal, institutional and environmental determinants with utilization of mental health services. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that government should enact mental health policy that will make it mandatory for mental health institutions to provide mental health services to people of all ages free of costs to ensure better utilization of mental health services in communities.

Keywords: Determinants, Utilization, Mental Health Services, Adults,

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