The use of mental health services by ethnic minorities.

Abstract

Until the late 1960s, the state of mental health service needs of ethnic minorities was not of much concern to mental health planners. The civil rights movement of the 1960s set in motion the struggle for political, economic, and social opportunities and equity between the advantaged and the disadvantaged. In the area of mental health, the Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC) Act of 1963 signified the beginning of responsive service delivery to the socially, culturally, and economically disadvantaged. To some extent, the act was a response to the need for providing mental health services to ethnic minorities-services that would take into consideration cultural appropriateness and the ability of consumers to pay. The ensuing years saw growth in the number of mental health facilities, especially in federally funded community mental health centers.

Barriers to community mental health services for Latinos: Treatment considerations.

“…For example, language issues can make it especially difficult for Latinos to utilize public transportation, obtain a driver's license, and comprehend the required paperwork at clinics (e.g., insurance, consent, clinic survey forms). Some Latinos may feel uncomfortable because of their unfamiliarity with the procedures involved in requesting services and may feel overwhelmed by the amount of paperwork they need to complete (Cheung, 1991). Additionally, since communication is essential to treatment, language barriers limit Latinos’ ability to communicate with monolingual therapists and could contribute to dissatisfaction with services and premature treatment termination.…”

Barriers to Community Mental Health Services for Latinos: Treatment Considerations

“…Family relationships are very close and are usually the first or main source of help for Latinos (Altarriba & Bauer, 1998;Rogler, Malgady, & Rodriguez, 1989). Latino family members provide strong support for each other at times of emotional and psychological difficulties (e.g., Cheung, 1991;Keefe et al, 1979;Madsen, 1964;Sandoval & De La Roza, 1986). In fact, Latinos report high levels of satisfaction with the support they receive from their families (Sabogal et al, 1987).…”

The anticipated future of counselling psychology in the United States: A Delphi poll

“…Already, ethnicminority members account for more than one quarter of those individuals accessing public mental health facilities (Cheung, 1991), and that demand is likely to increase in the foreseeable future (US Department of Commerce, 1989). Already, ethnicminority members account for more than one quarter of those individuals accessing public mental health facilities (Cheung, 1991), and that demand is likely to increase in the foreseeable future (US Department of Commerce, 1989).…”