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

CONCLUSIONSMinority Voices gathered information from young people andthe staff working with them about the key elements ofservices that work well for BME groups and in what waysservices could be improved. This both supports and adds tothe, as yet, little evidence available from rigorous evaluationstudies of service effectiveness.In summary, good practice depends upon:1.Both commissioners and service providers workingclosely together, informed by local BME communities, whoshould also be working with the voluntary and statutorysectors in delivering appropriate, non-stigmatising andculturally sensitive services.However, true partnership in developing theseservices is bedevilled by continuing widespread lackof understanding among BME communities ofmental health issues – over and above that foundamong young people and their families in general –and of how to meet the needs of BME communitiesamong commissioners and service providers.2.Careful and sensitive assessment of the mental healthneeds of young people from BME communities,with ethnic monitoring as part of service evaluation and audit.18