title: Preventing mental disorders in the minority community.
abstract: Studies in community mental health have noted a disproportionate incidence of mental illness in minority populations. However, it is impossible to document its true extent without a proper data base. Most of our knowledge is based on reports from institutions and social service agencies--coroner's offices, police departments, and various treatment programs. The resulting distortion of the data makes it difficult to develop prevention policies and programs. Further, the politics incurred in implementing programs in minority communities suggest that there are political barriers to providing such services. This paper examines these critical political-social factors.
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008913:Minority Groups; D011057:Politics; D014481:United States