OBJECTIVE: This study examines the extent to which gender differences in use of services in three subcultures in Israel can be accounted for by the psychosocial differences between women and men, and by differences in the prevalence of common psychiatric disorders and levels of distress. METHOD: A representative sample extracted from the National Population Register of non-institutionalized residents aged 21 or older of Israel was used in this cross-sectional survey. Data on health, use of services and socio demographic background were collected using face-to-face computer-assisted interviews. DSM-IV disorders were assessed using the WMH-CIDI. RESULTS: Gender effects in the three different subcultures remained significant in predicting the use of services for mental health purposes after adjustment for educational level, family status, chronic illness, experience of violence, presence of mental disorder and psychological distress. CONCLUSION: The higher rates of help seeking in women could not be explained by psychosocial differences and are likely related to women's greater readiness to articulate and communicate distress.