Introduction to the special issue: Addressing mental health disparities through culturally competent research and community‐based practice

Abstract

AbstractAs we enter a new millennium in which rapid demographic changes in the United States are predicted to dramatically change the face of “mainstream” America, it is essential that researchers, practitioners, and policymakers come to grips with mental health disparities through culturally competent research and community‐based practice. This introduction to the special issue outlines the rationale for this volume and briefly describes the main underlying themes across this set of articles. The purpose of this special issue is twofold: (a) to present studies which serve as illustrative examples of empirical research focusing on the needs and characteristics of diverse populations within various contexts in the community and also point to implications for culturally sensitive intervention/prevention; and (b) to provide directions for future research in this area of culturally competent mental health services and treatment. Implications for future research, practice, and policy are discussed.© 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.