Mental health support for BAME communities – removing barriers

According to Rethink, a leading provider of mental health services in England, the rates at which people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds experience mental health issues are sometimes greater than for the non-BAME population.

In comparison to the non-BAME population, Rethink found the following:

• Black women are more likely to experience a common mental illness such as anxiety disorder or depression.
• Older South Asian women are an at-risk group for suicide.
• Black men are more likely to experience psychosis.
• Black people are four times more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act.

There are a number of barriers preventing the access to mental health care for people from BAME backgrounds, including, language barriers, healthcare professionals’ lack of knowledge about priorities for individuals from a BAME background, limited publicity of mental health support in some BAME communities and stigma.

Mental health services should meet the needs of the BAME population and therefore, providers need to review their own working practices to break down the barriers preventing access to mental health support and services.

There are a number of things we can each do to help support individuals from a BAME background to help overcome some of these barriers, including:

1. Encouraging individuals from a BAME background to speak to someone they can trust.

Speaking to someone they can trust can be the first step to getting support. For instance, this could be a family member, friend, or health care professional. They should try to be open and honest about how there are feeling if they decide to tell someone.

2. They might want to consider taking a friend or relative to their appointment.

They can take a person they trust to an appointment with them. It might help ease any anxiety they have about the appointment. The person can also speak on their behalf if they want them to.

3. They may want to ask for a healthcare professional who is from a BAME background.

Some people find it easier to speak to someone from the same or a similar background. This might be because they feel like they will be judged less and have an increased sense of empathy. It can also help to overcome cultural and language barriers.

They have the right to see any GP in their surgery. So, if there is a GP who is from a similar background as them, they can see them. They can ask the GP surgery about the backgrounds of the GPs.

4. Tell their healthcare professional about their culture and background.

They can tell mental health professionals how their culture and background is relevant to their mental health issues. This will help to create better understanding between them and healthcare professionals. It might help to shape their care and treatment in a way they prefer.

5. Engage with services outside the NHS.

There might be local charities, support groups and online support forums for people from BAME backgrounds, or specific ethnic groups. They might be able to speak to others who are experiencing similar issues.

Further steps

Your local branch of the mental health charity, Mind, might also know of suitable organisations and support for BAME individuals.

By Natalie Smith