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Thursday, 5/29/97 Minorities gaining access to psychological services MEDICINE: Despite biases in insurance, possible stigma of treatment, groups' use on rise

By Caroline M. Bontia Daily Bruin Contributor Resource is often defined as a place to turn to when your own abilities, talents and internal reserves have been exhausted and you need help answering questions. Yet obtaining resources in the form of psychological services often carries unique emotional baggage - especially for minorities. However, a growing number of minorities at the UCLA campus are taking a greater advantage of psychological facilities dealing with intermediate and intake counseling, services which refer patients to the correct department for treatment. In a recent report compiled by the Student Psychological Service (SPS), African Americans and Chicanos/Latinos have taken greater initiative in seeking psychological help. In 1995-1996, a total of 2,300 students received direct Student Psychological Services. Chicanos/Latinos comprised 16.3 percent of the services; African Americans 7.3 percent; Asian Americans 19.3 percent; and white Americans 49 percent. These statistics however, do not include students who have benefited by the numerous workshops and outreach programs that can be added to double the total figures. "Generally we are well utilized by the African American population and by the Chicano/Mexican/Latino populations. We are overrepresented by (the) Caucasian American population and underutilized by Asian Americans and we have grappled with that," said Student Psychological Services Director Harold Pruett. These same statistics however, do not apply outside of UCLA. Adolescents and children constitute the largest group of uninsured Americans today, particularly African Americans and Latinos, according to the American Psychological Association. Indeed, cultural expectations and financial circumstances still play a dominant role when seeking psychological help. Stereotypes and societal pressures make it difficult for many to admit that they should get help, said David Feinberg, director of Managed and Outpatient Services at the Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital. For example, a study found that there are certain barriers to treatment for African American women who suffer from addiction. They often cite being unable to seek care due to responsibilities at home as a mother, wife and partner, lack of money, insurance and fear of losing their children. "There is a large stigma with going to get psychological health services. And there is a large stigma with 'access' in itself," Feinberg said. Factors associated with this stigma include the low consumer demand for psychological care; the lack of knowledge about psychiatric illness and treatment; and cases when private insurance companies discriminate against mental illness and substance abuse in comparison to general medical care. On the other hand, financial barriers add to the growing lack of health insurance and access to psychological services. Fortunately, free counseling services on campus, like SPS, have worked to provide a supportive and culturally sensitive environment. Part of this commitment is giving students the freedom to choose whom they would like to receive counseling from. With a diverse staff of 21 employees, the service is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. Ultimately however, the responsibility of getting access to services rests with the individual. "We are accessible to students. But whether they want to access us is a different story," remarked associate director William D. Parham. And although students may feel hesitant in receiving help, Parham firmly believes that individuals should not feel afraid. "I would respect their hesitancy, but I certainly would ask them to push themselves a little bit more in finding out what is getting in the way," he suggested. "Furthermore, if they are sensitive about this particular resource, they can go to other resources, identify their comfort level and how they will get access," he added. In fact, there are other resources available, such as the Women's Resource Center, which is both gender-oriented and utilized by many cultural groups. The Women's Resource Center primarily deals with intermediate counseling, referrals in helping students identify issues and directing them to appropriate services. Additionally, the resource is not only limited to women. "I think with the kind of services we provide that there is this misconception that we are only for women. But the fact is that we also help a lot of men. More often than not, they have female friends they care about and want help in providing them support," director Kathy Rose-Mockry said. Moreover, the center attracts many underrepresented immigrant students with low incomes, such as members of the Academic Advancement Program (AAP); the Campus Retention Program; Education Abroad Program and international students visiting UCLA. "The Women's Center, by virtue of what we stand for, lets women know that we are concerned about their needs ... I think traditionally what we've stood for is to provide support, and so we can bridge the gap for students," Rose-Mockry said. Regardless of how severe students feel their problems are, getting free counseling is comparable to nothing outside the UCLA community. Added Rose-Mockry, "Psychological support and assistance is valuable because being a student is being a whole person. It's not just about academics. It's important that people have the opportunity to really get the most out of their education and not to be set back by things out of their control."

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