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

encountered by the researchers provide a vivid illustration of the challenge facing serviceproviders in this field.For many of the young people who were interviewed it would seem that often their route intoCAMHS or other mental health support had been by luck, coming about through them makingcontact with a proactive professional with knowledge of available services. The data collectedalso indicate that many only reached help at a critical point in their difficulties, sometimesafter an emergency referral. In addition the study findings highlight the need to work withparents, and also through communities since parental and community perceptions of a child’sdifficulties and of mental health service approachability and usefulness are clearly an importantinfluence on many young people.It should be noted that many of these concerns could be seen to apply to all young peoplerequiring help. However there was an impression of these concerns and difficulties beingintensified when young people from minority ethnic groups come into contact with staff whofeel that they do not have sufficient skills or understanding of differences in culture or ethnicbackground, or who are perceived by young people as lacking these skills.! What sort of service provision is needed?The range of data collected through the study provides some important indications:• Many staff highlighted a lack of joined-up activity and limited knowledge of existingservices as a key problem in improving information sharing and thus access to services.• In particular, the lack of partnership working between CAMHS and voluntary sectorprovision in many areas of the country was highlighted, also that a considerableamount of innovative work in the voluntary sector is being lost due to fundinginstability.• Staff interviews also revealed concerns about a lack of training in race equality andcultural competence (for both administrative and clinical staff in CAMHS).• Young people made many suggestions for how services could be improved. Theseincluded: more flexible hours when services are available, more opportunities to drop-inor self-refer; a greater choice of venues and the need for more interpreters/resourcesfor those who do not read/speak English. Greater professional awareness of the culturalcontext of issues that impact on young people from Black and minority ethnic groups,and those with refugee or asylum-seeking status, was also mentioned.• Better information sharing through a wider range of outlets (especially non-traditionalroutes such as the radio, media or church/faith groups) was emphasised and shouldinclude self-help information, advice on strategies to deal with difficulties andinformation about how CAMHS operate.• The importance of staff being informed and aware of local mental health services andable to support young people in seeking help was a prominent theme. A number ofyoung people suggested that some sort of ‘befriending’ role would be highly useful foryoung people who are fearful of approaching CAMHS or other mental health services,also peer support in raising awareness.• Knowledge of religious and cultural needs, and showing an interest in these, wereidentified as important staff attributes by many of the young people interviewed.• Both young people from Black and minority ethnic groups and staff identified the needfor provision for young people to address issues of grief, past loss, trauma andbereavement. Support and information for parents from minority ethnic groups in orderto help them understand CAMHS and to try and reduce the stigma/fears connected withtheir child receiving help from these services, was also highlighted.Minority Voices Research Report5