Gaps between mental health status, perceived service needs, and service utilization among Korean Americans

Korean Americans experience elevated mental health risks yet demonstrate low utilization of mental health services. This study examined predictors of perceived mental health support need and service use among a sample of 253 Korean American adults. The findings indicated that 7.86% of participants screened positive for depression, 12.40% for anxiety, and 19.75% for loneliness, while only 6.77% reported using mental health services. Depression and anxiety were associated with service use, but no predictors remained significant in multivariable analyses. Younger age, Korean nationality, stigma, lack of information about mental health services, and anxiety were associated with perceived mental health support need.