Mental health priorities and cultural-responsiveness of the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training for Asian immigrant populations in Greater Boston, Massachusetts.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Asians and Asian Americans have the lowest rate of mental health service utilization (25%) in the US compared to other racial/ethnic groups (39 - 52%), despite high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. The lack of culturally-responsive mental health trainings hinders access to mental health services for these populations. We assessed the mental health priorities of Asian communities in Greater Boston and evaluated cultural responsiveness of the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), a first-responder training teaching participants skills to recognize signs of mental health and substance use challenges, and how to appropriately respond.

Methods

This is community-based participatory research with the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC), Asian Women

SUBMITTER: Kim MK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11251104 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature