All staff working in mental health services should receive compulsory training in "cultural awareness" in a bid to eradicate the institutional racism and discrimination faced by black and ethnic minorities, according to a new report, writes Katie Leason.
The recommendation comes as part of a package of measures proposed to drastically improve mental health services for people from black and ethnic minority communities.
A report from the National Institute for Mental Health in England said: "There does not appear to be a single area of mental health care in this country in which black and minority ethnic groups fare as well as or better than the majority white community.
"Both in terms of service experience and the outcome of service interventions, they fare much worse than people from the ethnic majority do," it said.
'Inside Outside' reveals how rates of compulsory admission are higher for black and minority ethnic groups compared to white people, and that the police are more likely to be involved with these clients. It also shows how patients from minority ethnic groups are more likely to be misdiagnosed, prescribed drugs, and readmitted to hospitals.
'Inside Outside' available here
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