This study describes the social, demographic and clinical characteristics of all the new referrals in a mental health catchment area. This study aims to compare Irish and non-Irish service users in terms of their mental health needs and service utilization.

Case notes were reviewed retrospectively to investigate demographic, clinical and service utilization parameters among new referrals to the psychiatric services in Galway, Ireland over a six-month period.

One hundred and fifty four new referrals, of whom 41 were non-Irish, presented over a sixmonth period. Results showed no difference between Irish and non-Irish patients in terms of sociodemographic variables. Alcohol problems and subsequent need for detoxification and counseling were significantly increased among service users from the new EU accession states with a significant impact on the duration of their hospital stay and the need for intensive psychiatric care.

There is an urgent need for enhanced resources for the delivery of mental healthcare to immigrants. Service utilization and mental health needs are not explained merely by illness-related aspects in immigrant service users. Social and cultural factors have to be recognized in order to prevent disadvantages in psychiatric care.