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A Qualitative Exploration of African-Americans' Attitudes Toward Mental Illness and Mental Illness Treatment Seeking by Alicia K. Matthews, Patrick W. Corrigan, Barbara M. Smith, and Frances Aranda

"This article presents data from a qualitative study of mantal illness attitudes and mental health service use in a community sample of African-Americans. Specifically, we examined cultural factors that shape community norms, including mental illness stigma, attitudes and behaviors. The following five thematic categories were examined: (a) descriptive terms and causes of mental illness, (b) cultural norms regarding mental health, (c) attitudes toward mental health service use (d) presence and determinants of mental illness stigma, and (e) strategies for reducing mental illness stigma and increasing access and use of mental health services."

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