Help-seeking behaviour regarding mental health problems of Mediterranean migrants in the Netherlands: familiarity with care, consultation attitude and use of services

BACKGROUND: Ethnic minority groups differ in the pattern of their seeking help, and in their use of and attitude towards mental health systems. To meet the mental health needs of ethnic minority populations, insights into determinants of their help-seeking orientations are of great concern. AIM: To investigate help-seeking behaviour regarding mental health problems in terms of familiarity, attitude and service use among Mediterranean migrants in the Netherlands. METHODS: Samples of Mediterranean citizens in the general population (N = 292) and of Mediterranean (N = 114) and indigenous Dutch outpatients (N = 59) currently treated in mental health care were included. Data were acquired by administering a semi-structured interview. Quantified data were analysed using multivariate techniques. RESULTS: More recently arrived participants were less familiar with mental health services. Moroccan, lower educated and recently arrived respondents reported a more negative attitude towards consulting these agencies. The help-seeking behaviour of the Mediterranean participants was relatively similar to that of the indigenous Dutch subjects. CONCLUSIONS: With regard to care-seeking routes and use of mental health services, more inter-ethnic similarities than differences emerged. Sociodemographic variables like age, education and length of residence shape the process of help-seeking and service use.