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2004 SESSION

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HJ 155 Racial and ethnic disparity in mental health services; joint subcommittee to study.

Introduced by: Viola O. Baskerville | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Study; racial and ethnic disparity in mental health services. Establishes a joint subcommittee to study racial and ethnic disparity in mental health services. In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall identify the mental disorders prevalent among racial and ethnic minority citizens in the Commonwealth, (ii) determine whether such persons suffer disproportionately from depression and substance abuse; (iii) determine why such persons are less likely to receive needed mental health services and whether they have less access to such services, and the availability of mental health services; (iv) assess the quality of mental health services that minorities receive and whether mental health care providers are required to develop cultural diversity competencies; (v) assess the extent to which cultural, economic, and social influences are determinants of mental illness, and how such factors effect the willingness of minority citizens to seek care, communication with mental health care providers, and diagnosis, treatment, and service delivery; (vi) ascertain the supply and demand of racial and ethnic mental health care providers; and (vii) recommend ways to eliminate racial and ethnic disparity in mental health services and the underrepresentation of minorities in mental health research.

The joint subcommittee must submit an interim report to the 2004 and 2005 Sessions of the General Assembly.


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