Citation

Dickerson DL, Johnson CL. Community Ment. Health J. 2012; 48(1): 56-62.

Affiliation

Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, University of California Los Angeles, 1640 S. Sepulveda Boulevard, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA, 90025, USA, daniel.dickerson@ucla.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s10597-010-9368-3

PMID

21161379

PMCID

PMC3267929

Abstract

This study analyzes descriptive data among a clinical sample of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youths receiving mental health services in a large California metropolitan area. Among 118 urban AI/AN youths, mood disorders (41.5%) and adjustment disorder (35.4%) were the most common mental health diagnoses. Alcohol (69.2%) and marijuana (50.0%) were the most commonly used substances. Witnessing domestic violence (84.2%) and living with someone who had a substance abuse problem (64.7%) were reported. The majority of patients demonstrated various behavior and emotional problems. Enhancing culturally relevant mental health and substance abuse treatment and prevention programs for urban AI/AN youth is suggested.

Language: en