African American women living with mental disorders: factors associated with help seeking from professional services and informal supports.

This study utilized data from the National Survey of American Life to investigate the use of professional services and informal support among Black women with a lifetime mood, anxiety, or substance use disorder. Forty-seven percent combined professional services and informal support, 14% relied on professional services only, 2% used informal support only, and 16% did not seek help. Co-occurring disorders, recent episodes, social networks, marital status, age, and level of education were significantly related to help seeking from professional and informal helpers, demonstrating the importance of both. Targeting interventions in these areas will likely increase treatment effectiveness.