CHANGES IN THE SOCIOCULTURAL REALITY OF CHINESE IMMIGRANTS: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN HELP-SEEKING BEHAVIOUR.

Introduction: This paper uses fi ndings from a larger study to present a nuanced depiction of the interplay of informal and formal help-seeking processes of a sample of Chinese immigrants in their mental healthcare in New York City.Method: Thirty one participants who were receiving mental health treatment were interviewed with regard to their experiences preceding their suicide attempt. Their narratives were coded for thematic analysis. Findings: Acculturation diffi culties, inaccessibility to services and stigma associated with mental illness were major obstacles in the participants' help-seeking process,which was consistent with other studies of immigrants of ethnic minority groups in the USA. In addition, the fi ndings showed how changes in this sample of Chinese immigrants' socio-cultural reality disrupted familiar help-seeking pathways, and perpetuated and amplifi ed the aforementioned stressors. Issues of human connection, immigrants' resiliency and missed opportunities were also identifi ed as potential resources to modify cultural stigmas and help-seeking behaviour. Conclusion: There are varied socio-cultural factors that need to be considered in mental health outreach services in immigrant communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]