Minority voices: Research into the access and acceptability of ... - MMC
Minority voices: Research into the access and acceptability of ... - MMC
Minority voices: Research into the access and acceptability of ... - MMC
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• A measure <strong>of</strong> general psychiatric morbidity in <strong>the</strong> Fourth National Survey <strong>of</strong> EthnicMinorities showed that a much higher proportion <strong>of</strong> Bangladeshis may suffer frompsychiatric illness (2.5 for men <strong>and</strong> 2.4 for women); in contrast, compared with <strong>the</strong>population, a considerably lower proportion <strong>of</strong> Chinese men <strong>and</strong> women were likely tobe affected in this way (0.33 for men <strong>and</strong> 0.35 for women). 41• Studies done in <strong>the</strong> 1970s, 1980s <strong>and</strong> 1990s have uniformly shown that Indian childrenappear to show a lower prevalence rate <strong>of</strong> mental disorder compared with AfricanCaribbean, Pakistani, Bangladeshi or White indigenous children. 42• Some studies have found overall low rates <strong>of</strong> mental disorder for South Asians. Thestudy <strong>of</strong> ethnic minority psychiatric illness in <strong>the</strong> community (EMPIRIC) found that thisin fact only applied to those who migrated in late childhood or adulthood <strong>and</strong> that <strong>the</strong>second generation did not have lower rates. 43• A study <strong>of</strong> common mental disorders found that <strong>the</strong> prevalence <strong>of</strong> anxiety <strong>and</strong>depression was similar in African Caribbeans <strong>and</strong> White Europeans, <strong>and</strong> that also <strong>the</strong>rewas no difference in medical help-seeking. 44 Ano<strong>the</strong>r study found that autism, psychosis<strong>and</strong> conduct disorders were more common in <strong>the</strong> second generation African Caribbeanchildren in <strong>the</strong> study, whereas emotional disorders were more common in <strong>the</strong>indigenous White children. 45• Young African Caribbean men are more likely than o<strong>the</strong>rs to be referred to mentalhealth services through <strong>the</strong> criminal justice system, ra<strong>the</strong>r than through <strong>the</strong>ir GPs.• Suicide rates are high in young Indian men <strong>and</strong> in East African men <strong>and</strong> women (usingsuicide data 1988-92 <strong>and</strong> country <strong>of</strong> birth). 46 Young Asian women have higher rates <strong>of</strong>suicide compared to o<strong>the</strong>r young women. 47 Rates <strong>of</strong> self-harm are also <strong>of</strong> particularconcern amongst this group. 48 A national clinical survey <strong>of</strong> patient suicides in Engl<strong>and</strong><strong>and</strong> Wales, suggests that different suicide prevention measures are needed for differentethnic groups. 49• People from Black <strong>and</strong> minority ethnic backgrounds are more likely to be given ‘physicaltreatments’, eg. drugs <strong>and</strong> electric shock treatment, than <strong>the</strong>ir White counterparts. 50• Young refugees <strong>and</strong> asylum seekers have significant mental health needs, arising from51 52<strong>the</strong>ir past experiences <strong>of</strong> trauma, bereavement, loss <strong>and</strong> grief. Many alsoexperience racial harassment on arriving in <strong>the</strong> UK. 53! Factors affecting <strong>access</strong> to mental health services by young people fromBlack <strong>and</strong> minority ethnic groupsHelp-seeking behaviourData on <strong>the</strong> help-seeking behaviour <strong>of</strong> young people from minority ethnic backgrounds aresparse. The WHO Study <strong>of</strong> Psychological Disorders in General Health Care is <strong>the</strong> largest WHOCollaborative Project that monitors frequency <strong>of</strong> psychological disorders seen in general healthcare settings. Though <strong>the</strong> results <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> research cannot necessarily be extrapolated to howyoung people from Black <strong>and</strong> minority ethnic backgrounds may behave in <strong>the</strong> UK, <strong>the</strong> findingsillustrate <strong>the</strong> ethnic differences in <strong>the</strong> pathway to mental health care <strong>and</strong> it is fair to concludethat different people seek help in different ways. 54In a study <strong>of</strong> help-seeking among minority ethnic students in a Los Angeles public high school,50% expressed <strong>the</strong> need for help with personal, emotional or behaviour problems but onlyone-quarter reported having gone for pr<strong>of</strong>essional help, 11% having done so frequently. Evenamong those reporting high levels <strong>of</strong> psychological distress, only about one-third went to see apr<strong>of</strong>essional. Among those using pr<strong>of</strong>essional help, school-based sources were used with ahigh frequency. 55 The study looked at on-campus pr<strong>of</strong>essional services <strong>of</strong>fered free to students<strong>and</strong> concluded that “improving <strong>access</strong> to service is a necessary but insufficient condition forincreasing <strong>the</strong> likelihood that people will seek out pr<strong>of</strong>essional help when <strong>the</strong>y need it.” 56<strong>Minority</strong> Voices <strong>Research</strong> Report12