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Abstract
Numerous studies examining mental health services have identified a series of indicators with demonstrated effects on services access, barriers, and utilization. These include demographic features such as gender, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, as well as other factors such as type of insurance, clinical indicators such as diagnosis, and client attitudes toward mental health. The focus of the present study was to identify and compare mental health indicators and services utilization factors in a community sample oflesbians (n = 63) anda matched sample of heterosexual women (n = 57), including types of services utilized, current use of antidepressant medications, receipt of high priority services, and services needed but not received. This sample also included a wider range of age and greater diversity of racial/ethnic groups than the majority of previous studies of lesbian mental health. Outcomes for women in this study are compared to the services utilization literature in general and similarities and differences among lesbians and heterosexual women are examined. Finally, suggestions are offered for developing new strategies for conducting research, as well as identifying new services models for providers, clinicians, and academics working with women with diverse sexual orientations.