Characterizing Mental Health Status and Service Utilization in Chinese Americans With Type 2 Diabetes in New York City: Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Emerging evidence indicates that individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are more prone to mental health issuesthan the general population; however, there is a significant lack of data concerning the mental health burden in Chinese Americanswith T2D.Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the comorbid mental health status, health-seeking behaviors, and mental serviceutilization among Chinese Americans with T2D.Methods: A cross-sectional telephone survey was performed among 74 Chinese Americans with T2D in New York City. Weused standardized questionnaires to assess mental health status and to gather data on mental health-seeking behaviors and serviceutilization. Descriptive statistics were applied for data analysis.Results: A total of 74 Chinese Americans with T2D completed the survey. Most participants (mean age 56, SD 10 years)identified as female (42/74, 57%), were born outside the United States (73/74, 99%), and had limited English proficiency (71/74,96%). Despite nearly half of the participants (34/74, 46%) reporting at least one mental health concern (elevated stress, depressivesymptoms, and/or anxiety), only 3% (2/74) were currently using mental health services. Common reasons for not seeking careincluded no perceived need, lack of information about Chinese-speaking providers, cost, and time constraints. The cultural andlanguage competence of the provider was ranked as the top factor related to seeking mental health care. Conclusions: Chinese Americans with T2D experience relatively high comorbid mental health concerns yet have low serviceutilization. Clinicians may consider team-based care to incorporate mental health screening and identify strategies to provideculturally and linguistically concordant mental health services to engage Chinese Americans with T2D.