Addressing mental health challenges of Samoan Americans in Southern California: Perspectives of Samoan community providers.

Abstract

Although a variety of health concerns have been documented, little is presently known about the mental health challenges facing Samoan Americans in Southern California. This community-based research study investigated the perspectives of Samoan health care providers affiliated with two Los Angeles County agencies regarding: (a) mental health challenges, (b) obstacles to use of formal services to address mental health concerns, and (c) recommendations and needed resources for development of culturally responsive interventions to address mental health challenges. Eleven health care advocates affiliated with two agencies specializing in health and social services for Samoans participated in a 90-min group discussion and/or an individual interview. Qualitative data were analyzed using a thematic data analytic approach based on grounded theory. Participants strongly self-identified as Samoan or mixed-race Samoan and were primarily female (73%). Key themes from these discussions are presented to highlight this seminal discussion. Despite concerns regarding substance use, depression, and suicide, significant cultural resources were noted as sources of resilience that could be incorporated into prevention and intervention for Samoan Americans coping with mental health problems. The perspectives of these community advocates for the Samoan community reflect a low level of mental health awareness and identify urgent unmet mental health needs among Samoan Americans in Southern California. Findings support prioritization of mental health awareness interventions and education regarding available services. Systemic efforts to integrate physical and mental health care services may be aligned with traditional Pacific Islander concepts of mental health and facilitate addressing the unmet mental health needs of underserved Samoan Americans.

Systematic Review of Cultural Aspects of Stigma and Mental Illness among Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups in the United States: Implications for Interventions

“…Communication‐based structural stigma included limited services in appropriate languages and a lack of culturally responsive providers that affected both the ability to access services and the quality of experiences once in them (Cheng et al., 2015; Fancher et al., 2010; Weng & Spaulding‐Givens, 2017; Yamada et al., 2019; Yang et al., 2014a). Asian Americans also reported experiences of racial discrimination and being stereotyped by providers (e.g., model minority, perpetual foreigner; Ling et al., 2014; Weng & Spaulding‐Givens, 2017).…”

“…Even supportive families still wanted concealment from others (Weng & Spaulding‐Givens, 2017). Lack of concealment was viewed as a burden to the collective system (Augsberger et al., 2015; Chen et al., 2015; Han et al., 2017) and a poor reflection on family (Fancher et al., 2010; Sung et al., 2013; Yamada et al., 2019).…”

“…Families also experienced stigma themselves, as mental illness could suggest the entire family was a failure, defective and/or cursed (Fancher et al., 2010; Sung et al., 2013; Yamada et al., 2019). This led to isolation and reduced support from other family members (Lin, 2013), in part because of self‐isolation due to embarrassment or shame, including among those with psychotic disorders (Cheng et al., 2015; Kung, 2016).…”

“…A lack of awareness of mental illness could lead to misconceptions that those with mental illness are contagious, dangerous, or out of control (Han et al., 2017), including individuals with psychotic disorders (Chen et al., 2013), making mental illness a taboo topic that was shameful and embarrassing according to both the general public and service providers (Augsberger et al., 2015; Weng & Spaulding‐Givens, 2017; Yamada et al., 2019).…”

Examining the State of Health Research on Pacific Rainbow Communities in New Zealand; Literatrure Review

“…48 In addition, Pacific peoples experience high rates of suicidal ideation, attempting suicide at three times the rate of the general population. 49 These outcomes are often made worse by the widespread stigma that exists within Pacific communities toward mental illness. Research shows Pacific peoples are more likely to hold negative attitudes and beliefs towards those who suffer from mental illness and are less likely to interact with or show empathy towards those who suffer from mental health issues.…”