Mental health services for young people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds: the current challenge
| Pages | 40-49 |
| Date | 01 November 2006 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/17466660200600022 |
| Published date | 01 November 2006 |
| Author | Zarrina Kurtz,Cathy Street |
| Subject Matter | Education,Health & social care,Sociology |
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1Freelance consultant
in public health and
health policy
2Freelance researcher
in children’s health
Journal of Children’s Services
Volume 1 Issue 3 November 2006
©Pavilion Journals (Brighton) Ltd
Abstract
Research has highlighted problems in accessing mental health services for people from minority ethnic
groups. Much of this literature is focused on adults. The Minority Voices study aimed to identify and
describe the perceptions and use of mental health services from the viewpoint of black and minority
ethnic (BME) young people aged between 12 and 25 in England and Wales, and to examine initiatives
designed to improve the access to, and acceptability of, services for these young people. It used a mixed
methods approach, including a literature review,national service mapping, in-depth interviews and focus
groups in four sample areas and action research in preparing materials designed byBME young people.
Anumber of issues that impede access to services, and that are specific to them, were identified and
explored with young people from BMEgroups. These include concerns related to discrimination and
racism, confidentiality,family and community pressures, uncertainty about any help they may receive,
and marked fears of the stigma that surrounds mental health difficulties. Within services, a lack of
capacity of targeted services and of cultural competence werehighlighted. The research concluded that
there is a need to improve awareness of mental health and information about services among BME
communities, and for child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) to work with these
communities to explore ways in which acceptable and appropriate mental health expertise can be made
more readily available through both informal and mainstream provision.
Key words
mental health services; young people; black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds; child and
adolescent mental health services (CAMHS)
Background
‘For decades the disparity and inequalities
between black and minority ethnic groups and
the majority white population in the rates of
mental ill health, service experience and service
outcome have been the focus of concern,
debate and much research. However, there is
little evidence that such concerns haveled to
significant progress, either in terms of
improvement in health status or a more benign
service experience and positive outcome for
black and minority ethnic groups. If anything,
the problems experienced by minority ethnic
groups within our mental health services may
be getting worse’(NIMHE, 2003: 5).
Much of the literature in this area is focused on
adults, so therehas been far less focus on the
disparities in mental health needs and service
Mental health services for
young people from black and
minority ethnic backgrounds:
the current challenge
Zarrina Kurtz1and Cathy Street2
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