The journal of behavioral health services & research
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J Behav Health Serv Res · Oct 2018
Creating Culturally Competent and Responsive Mental Health Services: A Case Study Among the Amish Population of Geauga County, Ohio.
Providing effective mental health services requires knowledge about and cultural competence across a wide array of beliefs and practices. This study provides an example of a successful project to improve public mental health service delivery in an Amish community. ⋯ Following meetings with community leaders, changes were made to improve the relationships of service providers and public funding agencies with the local Amish community, disseminate information about mental health concerns and services, and improve accessibility to mental health services. In 2013, a follow-up analysis of records found a 320% increase in public mental health service utilization by the Amish community within the first five years after these changes were made.