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

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARYOverviewIn 2001, YoungMinds decided to focus its next national research study on exploring theawareness and experiences of young people from Black and minority ethnic groups in usingchild and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). A particular aim was to look at thebarriers preventing these young people from accessing help.At the time, a growing body of literature and research was raising concern about theappropriateness of mental health services to meet the needs of people from Black and minorityethnic groups. Whilst much of this material referred to adults, quite clearly many of theconcerns were relevant to children and young people too. For example, some of the identifiedbarriers preventing Black and minority ethnic groups from accessing services includedlanguage problems, poor staff training, limited information, racism, fear and mistrust ofservices, inappropriate provision/interventions and issues such as socio-economicdisadvantage. 1 In addition, research on the ‘risk factors’ for young people developing mentalhealth problems had highlighted that young people from Black and minority ethnic groups maybe disproportionately affected - particularly with reference to the numbers excluded fromschool, being looked after or accommodated by a local authority or being homeless. 2 3 4There was also a growing awareness of the dearth of information from young peoplethemselves about CAMHS, and that this ‘user’ perspective is crucial in developing services thateffectively address young people’s needs and concerns and are delivered in ways that areacceptable to them. 5The study objectives• To give a ‘voice’ to young people aged between 12 and 25, drawn from a range of Blackand minority ethnic backgrounds, regarding their awareness and experience of andwishes for mental health services.• To review activity across Tier 1 CAMHS that promotes access for such young people.• To identify and analyse the barriers to effective access to appropriate services.• To identify examples of promising and innovative practice in this area.This reportThis research report describes the aims and methodology of the Minority Voices study,presents the key themes and issues emerging from the data collected, and draws from thissome of the implications for improving service provision and, in particular, access for this clientgroup. The data have been gathered from:• A mapping of services across England and Wales primarily focused on Tier 1, but alsodrawing in services across all tiers that appeared to be focused on young people fromBlack and minority ethnic groups.• An in-depth study in four sample areas of services for the mental health of Black andminority ethnic young people in both the statutory and voluntary sectors.• Focus groups and individual interviews with young people - both users of mental healthservices and young people in high risk groups - and with staff working with them.The report is aimed at policy-makers in government, service commissioners and those workingwith young people from Black and minority ethnic communities. The report has beenstructured so that the research findings themselves comprise the central part of the documentwith each of the three main chapters focusing on a specific aspect of the informationgathering. In each, where possible, quotes from young people and staff have been used toillustrate the points raised. Tables are presented that summarise areas of unmet need and alsoMinority Voices Research Report3