Barriers to and racial and ethnic differences in mental health care service utilization among staff in a large urban health care system.

Health care staff work in high-stress environments that increase risk for mental health challenges; however, racial/ethnic minority staff may be less likely to access care. Understanding mental health service utilization patterns and barriers among diverse health care staff is essential for developing culturally responsive interventions. An anonymous cross-sectional survey was distributed to health care staff at a large urban hospital (September to October 2022). The survey assessed demographics, occupational stressors, mental health symptoms, service utilization, and perceived barriers to care. Descriptive and bivariate analyses examined differences by race/ethnicity, and multinomial logistic regression identified correlates of perceived need and service utilization. Of 4,998 invited staff, survey responses were available for 1,119 (22.4%) participants, and 811 were included in regression analyses. Participants identified as White (28.2%), Asian (24.2%), Hispanic (24.8%), and Black (22.8%); most were women (84%) and ages 20-39 (52.3%). Asian, Black, and Hispanic staff were more likely to report no perceived need for mental health services compared with White staff. Service utilization was highest among White participants (26.4%) and lowest among Asian participants (14.9%). Across all racial and ethnic groups, the most frequently endorsed barriers were related to behavioral intention to seek services, knowledge, and inconvenient timing. Racial and ethnic minority health care staff reported lower mental health service utilization despite similar workplace stressors. The lower perceived need among minority staff suggests that access-focused interventions alone may be insufficient. Efforts to improve equity should address both access barriers and factors influencing perceived need. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).