Moving forward: living life with mental health problems: a guide for black and minority ethnic communities
Mental health problems can affect any of us at any point in our lives, no matter what our age or background. In fact, as many as 1 in 4 people in Britain will experience some kind of mental health problem during the course of a year.
If you’re from a black and minority ethnic (BME) group you’re at the highest risk of being diagnosed with severe mental illness. On top of this there’s often a lack of cultural understanding among health professionals which, along with a tendency to stereotype, can lead to inaccurate diagnosis or failure to recognise mental health problems in time.
This can make people from BME groups feel poorly treated and unsupported. Eventually they may stop communicating with mental health services altogether, so their mental health deteriorates. In the worst cases, a crisis situation leads to detention under the Mental Health Act (this is often called “being sectioned”) or involvement with the police.
At Rethink, we’re working hard to make sure this doesn’t happen. Improving the mental health system will take time, but we already have services available in some areas, and will continue to engage with BME groups and help them get the support they need.
Published : 31st December 2006
Publisher : Rethink Mental Illness [ More From This Publisher ]
Rights : Rethink Mental Illness
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