Abstract
This study examined the perspectives of service professionals on factors that prevent efficient utilization of mental health services, and the availability and adequacy of culturally competent services to Latino/Hispanic population in the Sacramento region. This exploratory study utilized questionnaires to collect data pertaining to study questions from a non- probability sample of respondents. Study findings indicated that the knowledge on the utilization of resources services available to the Latino community was positively correlated with the age of the respondent; r (21) = .37 without statistical significance at p >.05. Clergy members who participated in the study had more knowledge and non-social workers in general had more knowledge of the barriers to service utilization. The findings evidence the need for culturally competent, comprehensive community-based mental health services to the Latino population. General barriers to service utilization include the slow pace of acculturation into dominant culture; poor knowledge of services available to them, language barriers and the lack of clinicians’ understanding of Hispanic/Latino culture. Recommendations include the need for targeted program delivery that integrate the wellness model and the cultural competencies of the social work profession; and the need for further study with large samples of clients as respondents.