African-Americans' knowledge of mental health services as related to risks for mental health problems when compared to Whites

An exploratory study was conducted to examine African Americans' risks for mental health problems as related to their knowledge of mental health services in their communities when compared with whites.;The Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R) was used to determine their risks for mental health problems. In addition, an interview guide was used to collect data on knowledge of mental health services. Also, a data sheet was used to collect demographic information to establish a profile of the respondents. The information was obtained from March, 1993 through May, 1993.;The knowledge of mental health services used as a dichotomous variable was correlated with the SCL-90-R. Further analysis was made to determine the differences of risks of mental health problems and knowledge of mental health services between African Americans and whites.;African Americans seemed to be at greater risk for mental health problems related to depression. The correlation of African American scores with age showed that the younger the person, the higher the score or the greater the risk for mental health problems.;Study groups consisted of 100 self-selected persons, 18 years and older, from Protestant churches in Portland, Oregon. Fifty were from predominantly African American churches and the other fifty were from white churches.;Sixty percent of African Americans had knowledge of mental health services. When risks were correlated with knowledge, there were significant associations with knowledge of a family who had used mental health services and those who would use existing mental health services.;When compared with whites, there was a significant difference in scores on the SCL-90-R for five out of nine dimensions and all three indices. Nonetheless, both groups are at risks for different mental health problems. Moreover, there is a difference in relationships between selected socio-demographic variables age, income, marital status and education for African Americans and whites. African Americans had a greater knowledge of the mental health services in their community.;Policy recommendations are preventative mental health services and cultural sensitivity training. Further research is recommended.