Finding Pathways of Increasing the Availability of Mental Health Service for New Chinese Immigrants in the City of Abbotsford
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Authors
Yu, Peggy
Issue Date
2011
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Chinese immigrants
Alternative Title
Abstract
The use rate of mental health services is low among Chinese immigrants in the city of Abbotsford, yet there is no research on help seeking behaviour of Chinese immigrants in the city of Abbotsford. The aim of this study was to describe help seeking behaviour of Chinese immigrants when mental health concerns arise, such as depression and anxiety and to provide recommendations as to how to increase the use rate of mental health services among Chinese immigrant in the city of Abbotsford. To do this, eight participants were recruited from the community. Their demographic data and help-seeking patterns were assessed through a questionnaire and in-depth individual interview. The most common barriers to help seeking reported by Chinese immigrants in this study were a lack of knowledge about the services, face issues, personality and cultural competence of the therapists, and language barriers. Most participants indicated opting to talk to families or friends over talking to a family doctor about mental health concerns. The use rate of mental health services among Chinese Immigrant in the City of Abbotsford can be increased if there are language and cultural competent therapists available to immigrants, if Chinese immigrants know what services are available to them, and if the therapist takes a warm approach to his or her work with Chinese immigrants.