Staff need more cultural awareness to avoid racism in mental health services

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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