AbstractsSocial Work

The purpose of this research was to analyze the barriers the Hmong face when accessing mental health services and the culturally competency level of mental health services. This qualitative content analysis study explores clinician???s perspectives on the availability of culturally competent services for the Hmong, unmet needs and barriers faced by the Hmong population and culturally competent service promotion among the Hmong community. Using a snowball sampling method to interview ten mental health clinicians who have work experience with the Hmong community in Sacramento County, three primary themes emerged for the lack of Hmong utilization of mental health services. These themes included language issues, cultural issues and practitioner cultural competency. Also discussed are implications for social work practice and policy.