Racial/ethnic differences in attitudes toward seeking professional mental health services

Objectives. This study examined racial/ethnic differences in attitudes toward seeking mental health services. Methods. Data from the National Comorbidity Survey, which administered a structured diagnostic interview to a representative sample of the US population (N = 8098), were analyzed. Multiple logistic regression was used, and data were stratified by need for mental health services. Results. African Americans with depression were more likely than Whites with depresslon to "definitely go" (odds ratio [OR] = 1.8. P<.001) seek mental health services. African Americans with severe psychiatric disorders were less likely to be "somewhat embarrassed if friends knew they sought care" (OR = 0.3. P<.001) than were their White counterparts. Conclusions. African Americans reported more positive attitudes toward seeking mental health services than did Whites.