Mental Health Services and Ethnic Disparities

Chow,áJaffee, and Snowdená(2003) reported that racial/ethnic disparities are found in the use of mental health services. The surgeon general's report regarding mental health stated that the needs of the minority groups are unmet. For example, in 1995, from the overall population in New York City, the number of Blacks and Hispanics relative to Whites, using mental health services was significantly different. According to this report a significantly higher number of minority children and young adults used public mental health services compared to whites. It was found that 25% of the Blacks and Hispanics who used the mental health system were younger than 18 years (10% for Whites and Asians), regardless of poverty level. Blacks were found to use mental health services at younger ages compared to whites (nine times more). In minority groups who receive mental health treatment, premature termination is found to be prevalent. Minority groups were more likely to use emergency services compared to whites (or inpatient services in low poverty areas). It was also found that minority patients are less likely than white users to be self-referred, or referred by a family member or a friend. This minority group is more likely to use the mental health service system due to interpersonal contact with an ethnic-specific agency. Blacks were also more likely to be referred by law enforcement officials and were at a h

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rematurely. Reasons for these findings include religiosity, coping styles, and stigma or beliefs about mental health. Stigma, social support, and social distance determine the degree that treatment is initiated as well as the degree that this treatment is adhered to. Social support and churches are a source for the managing of mental illness and it is this type of support that shares views with African Americans about mental illness and the health care system. Thus sticking with the same social group or church supports shared views and avoids negative treatment due to stigma such as discrimination. Stigma is therefore a predictor of poor utilization of care. It is believed that this stigma as well as fears of treatment lead to the coping of higher levels of psychological distress in African Americans. This belief is supported by the increased use of emergency mental health service and decreased levels of outpatient services for this group. These findings imply that African Americans only seek treatment when levels of distress have reached a point of emergency. Stigma and fear lead to the minimization of symptoms until concerns reach the need for emergency assistance. A review of the literature has revealed a consensu
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Background Mechanic, African Americans, Theoretical Orientation, Whites Asians, Colton Scholte, Ethnic Stigma, Study Research, mental health, Limitations Study, Blacks Hispanics, Significance Study, mental health services, health services, mental health service, health service, mental illness, african americans, ethnic stigma, stigmatized person, related mental health, stigma associated, purpose study, related mental, casas cornejo colton, colton scholte 2000,
Approximate Word count = 2148
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page)

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