Improving Access to Mental Health Services for Korean American Immigrants: Moving Toward a Community Partnership Between Religious and Mental Health Services.
- Author:
Hochang B LEE
1
;
Jennifer A HANNER
;
Seong Jin CHO
;
Hae Ra HAN
;
Miyong T KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, US. hochang@jhmi.edu
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Korean;
Korean American;
Immigration;
Mental health services;
Disarity;
Religion;
Church
- MeSH:
Asian Americans*;
Clergy;
Emigrants and Immigrants*;
Emigration and Immigration;
Humans;
Mental Health Services*;
Psychiatry;
United States
- From:Psychiatry Investigation
2008;5(1):14-20
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Korean Americans (KAs) with psychiatric service needs underutilizes the mainstream mental health services in United States (US). Barriers to mental health service access among KAs reflect their unique heritage and culture. More than two-thirds of KAs identify themselves as Christians, and Korean clergy have influential roles in daily lives of vast majority of KAs. By working with the Korean clergy, a small voluntary organization such as the Association of Korean American Psychiatrists could provide invaluable assistance in removing the barriers to mental health services for KAs.
