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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Table 4: Areas <strong>of</strong> unmet need/deficits in provision identified by staff• Support at an early stage ra<strong>the</strong>r than when young people have reached crisis point• Provision for minority ethnic groups that are smaller in number (where service may beaddressing needs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> majority ethnic group)• Counselling in languages o<strong>the</strong>r than English• Interpreter support - patchy availability, limited underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> mental health <strong>and</strong>problems with continuity• Services able to engage with <strong>and</strong> address many varying needs (young Asian women,young refugees <strong>and</strong> asylum seekers, inter-generational issues)Arising from:• Limited numbers <strong>of</strong> staff from Black <strong>and</strong> minority ethnic groups <strong>and</strong> difficulties inrecruitment• A lack <strong>of</strong> training, pitched at <strong>the</strong> right level, available to all staff on a regular ongoingbasis• Variations in management support to staff <strong>and</strong> prioritisation <strong>of</strong> work in this area(including allocation <strong>of</strong> resources)• Ethos <strong>of</strong> ‘gate-keeping’ <strong>and</strong> inflexibility <strong>of</strong> provision, reflecting <strong>the</strong> general overload inmany CAMHSSuggestions for improving <strong>access</strong> to <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> delivery <strong>of</strong> servicesfor <strong>the</strong> mental health <strong>of</strong> young people from Black <strong>and</strong> minorityethnic groups! Style <strong>of</strong> service deliveryStaff made a variety <strong>of</strong> suggestions including:• A greater range <strong>of</strong> settings should be available, including drop-in or walk-in resources,since <strong>the</strong>se have been identified to be used by young Asian women for whom using<strong>the</strong>ir local GP may be difficult. More provision, including counsellors, should be based inschools since for many this is a ‘safe’ place to <strong>access</strong> support.• Hours <strong>of</strong> operation should be more flexible, including some provision in <strong>the</strong> evenings<strong>and</strong> at weekends. Support should also be available via <strong>the</strong> telephone. Being aware <strong>of</strong>different religious days <strong>and</strong> festivals <strong>and</strong> avoiding appointments at <strong>the</strong>se times was alsosuggested.• When young people need to be referred on, support from <strong>the</strong> referring pr<strong>of</strong>essionalshould be available if required (for example, accompanying <strong>the</strong>m to <strong>the</strong> firstappointment).• More services should <strong>of</strong>fer to visit young people at home or in o<strong>the</strong>r settings <strong>the</strong>y feelcomfortable in such as schools or local clubs/voluntary sector projects.• Clients from Black <strong>and</strong> minority ethnic groups should have a choice about <strong>the</strong> ethnicity<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional <strong>the</strong>y wish to be seen by. Gender issues should also be considered.There should not be an assumption that clients from Black <strong>and</strong> minority ethnic groupswant to be seen by a pr<strong>of</strong>essional who is also from a minority ethnic group.• Looking for ways to involve young people in service delivery <strong>and</strong> collecting feedbackinformation from <strong>the</strong>m on a regular, systematic basis <strong>and</strong> acting upon this.<strong>Minority</strong> Voices <strong>Research</strong> Report38