Minority voices: Research into the access and acceptability of ... - MMC

! Confusion over cultural identityFor some young people, the data collected suggested that one of the reasons why they hadnot sought help with mental health problems was that they were confused as to whether someof their feelings reflected their culture and different views towards problems they hadencountered:“How much is my personality? How much is my culture?” (Focus group member/no CAMHS experience)This issue was closely linked to a range of concerns expressed by young people aboutprofessionals making assumptions about them on the basis of their ethnic group, with anumber of them highlighting that it was often apparently forgotten that they had been born inBritain. Another important consideration relates to responding to questions about ethnicity;young people may be very clear about the factors that inform their ethnic identity but areunclear about which aspects professionals see as relevant when asking the question. Thecomplexity of this is highlighted by the following comment, made by a respondent who saidthis question was always confusing due to not knowing what the professional wanted to know:“I am a British Asian Muslim from Mirpur in Pakistan and speak Punjabi.” (Young person withexperience of using CAMHS)The key message from young people on this matter was the need to understand them as aperson and to appreciate the diversity of their needs and situations. It is also important tomake clear why the question about ethnicity is being asked and what information is actuallyrequired.! Staff understanding of religious and cultural needsA prominent theme linked to the previous point was that all staff in mental health servicesmust develop an understanding and take account of different needs:“Staff should be aware of all cultures and needs. Otherwise they do things that are normal fortheir culture… which are not familiar to people like me…” (Young person with CAMHS experience)However a number of young people also stated that they did not have any particular religiousor cultural needs. This returns us to the important point that staff should not makeassumptions but rather the important approach is one of:“Talking to people as if they are people…thinking about their interests and skills and about howtheir illness affects their everyday lives…” (Young person with experience of adult in-patient mental heathcare)Table 2: Summary of unmet needs/service deficits identified by young people from Black and minorityethnic groups• Services unable to respond promptly and not local/easy to get to• Lack of information about CAMHS - staff roles, treatment and medication, confidentiality• Lack of information about other sources of help - where and what they offer; self-helpadvice• Lack of help with past trauma, bereavement, grief and loss• Poor continuity of care - sense of being ‘passed around’• Lack of age-appropriate resources• Staff with only limited or no awareness and understanding of different ethnic, religiousand cultural needs• Interpreter support - not available or long wait times• Post-discharge support often not available• Information and support for parents unaddressedMinority Voices Research Report29