Mental health issues of culturally diverse underserved children.

Abstract

This article addresses the clinical issues relevant to mental health workers when evaluating children of diverse cultures who live in conditions of persistent poverty. We suggest a model that considers the social as well as the biologic risk factors affecting these children and that includes the importance of culture on symptom expression and health-seeking behavior. The discussion includes specific assessment approaches sensitive to the context in which these children develop and the psychiatric diagnostic entities and treatment approaches thought to be particularly relevant to these children.