It is well documented that serious mental health problems such as depression, schizophrenia, and post migration stress disorders exist among immigrant women. Informed by Kleinman's explanatory model, this qualitative exploratory study was conducted with seven health care providers who provided mental health services to immigrant women. Analysis of the data revealed that (a) immigrant women face many difficulties when accessing mental health care services due to cultural differences, social stigma, and unfamiliarity with Western biomedicine, (b) spiritual beliefs and practices that influence immigrant women's mental health care practices, and (c) the health care provider-client relationship, which exerts great influence on how immigrant women seek mental health care. The study also revealed that cultural background exerts both positive and negative influences on how immigrant women seek mental health care. We suggest that although cultural knowledge and practices influence immigrant women's coping choices and strategies, awareness of social and economic differences among diverse groups of immigrant women is necessary to improve the accessibility of mental health care for immigrant women.

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education Social Values Models, Psychological social psychology psychological model mental health service psychological aspect nursing methodology research Stereotyping human Health Behavior Professional-Patient Relations Adaptation, Psychological Mental Health Services ethnology religion qualitative research Mental Disorders health personnel attitude Attitude of Health Personnel mental disease human relation Humans Canada Acculturation female Review adaptive behavior cultural factor prevalence Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Spirituality organization and management Women migration Choice Behavior Emigration and Immigration Cultural Characteristics decision making attitude to health Health Services Accessibility health care delivery