Providing culturally appropriate mental health services for minorities.
Research on the use of outpatient mental health services has shown lower rates of utilization by minorities. Barriers include economic considerations, access difficulties, and cultural factors. Promoting the use of outpatient mental health services by minorities can have a positive effect on the overall cost of health and mental health care, as well as increasing access to care and quality of care for minority populations. Advantages and disadvantages of various approaches to providing culturally appropriate programming in mental health services are discussed.
Department of Family and Community Development, University of Maryland, College Park 20742.
J
J
Wallen
D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000458:organization & administration; D006303:Health Services, Indigenous / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology*; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D014481:United States