Washington, D.C. — A new study published in Psychiatric Services found that foreign-born Asian and Latine individuals are less likely than U.S.-born individuals to use mental health treatment, including seeing a mental health professional and using antidepressants. The findings highlight ongoing disparities in access to mental health care.

Researchers from the University of Illinois Chicago and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, analyzed data from a nationally representative sample of more than 9,000 Asian and Latine adults (72% foreign-born) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2011-2020).

Overall, about 10% of Asian and Latine individuals reported using any mental health treatment, including 6.7% reporting visits to a mental health professional and 6% using antidepressants. In the general U.S. population, as of 2020, 20.3% of adults had received any mental health treatment, 16.5% had taken medication, and 10.1% had received counseling within the past year.

After controlling for demographic characteristics and health care access variables, the study found foreign-born respondents were less likely to use any treatment than U.S.-born respondents. Results were similar for associations by specific treatment types: foreign-born respondents were less likely to use antidepressants and less likely to see a mental health professional compared with U.S.-born respondents.

The study also examined differences between Asian and Latine adults. Overall, Asian adults were half as likely as Latine adults to engage in any treatment. However, the differences were only among foreign-born adults. Foreign-born Asian adults had significantly lower odds than foreign-born Latine adults of using any treatment or seeing a mental health professional. The association with antidepressant use was not significant, but the authors raise attention to the low prevalence of antidepressant use among foreign-born Asians specifically, which may have precluded their ability to detect potentially meaningful differences.

Among U.S.-born adults, no significant differences were found in the use of care among Asian and Latine adults. Because the only differences between Asian and Latine adults in any treatment use and seeing a mental health professional were among foreign-born adults, the authors suggest these differences relate to nativity-related factors.

The authors note that “Together, these findings suggest an ongoing need to explore patients’ perspectives about mental health challenges and treatments to empower patients to be collaborators in their own treatment decisions.” To improve acceptability and access to treatment, the study calls for culturally responsive interventions at multiple levels, such as expanded psychoeducation and community mental health literacy and integration of behavioral health into primary care.

The study, “The Association of Nativity with Mental Health Treatments Among Asian and Latine Adults: NHANES 2011–2020,” was published online in Psychiatric Services in Advance March 12, 2026. Authors include Maya E. Lee, M.A., Milkie Vu, Ph.D., Robin Mermelstein, Ph.D., and Loretta Hsueh, Ph.D.

For interviews with the authors or to request a press copy of the study, please contact [email protected].

American Psychiatric Association

The American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844, is the oldest medical association in the country. The APA is also the largest psychiatric association in the world with more than 39,200 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and research of mental illnesses. APA’s vision is to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. For more information, please visit www.psychiatry.org.