Chinese Canadians in a cross-cultural psychiatry outpatient clinic: Some exploratory findings

Information on the use of mental health services by Chinese Canadians is very limited. This preliminary study serves to provide data regarding the use of ethnically sensitive mental health services for Chinese Canadians in Vancouver, British Columbia. A retrospective chart review explored various factors associated with treatment and outcomes of 370 Chinese-Canadian patients who attended a cross-cultural psychiatry outpatient clinic in Vancouver. Results indicated that major depressive episode was the most commonly reported diagnosis. The majority of patients received both pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. More younger patients received psychotherapy alone than the older patients. More than one-third of patients recovered fully. Another one-third was lost in follow-up, with higher rates in females and Mandarin speakers. The findings illuminate various cultural and systemic barriers for these two subgroups and indicate that Chinese Canadians are a very culturally diverse group.