Exploring Black people's experiences of secondary mental health services.

Literature Review: Data suggests there are inequalities in prevalence of mental health difficulties; and in access to and outcomes of mental health services for Black people in the UK. A qualitative evidence synthesis was conducted to synthesise the literature exploring Black peoples’ experiences of mental health care and services. Three electronic databases were searched, and thirteen papers were included in the review. Thematic synthesis was conducted which identified four themes. Participants felt services held and exerted control over them and consequently people had no autonomy over their care. Participants described losses in identity and relationships, because of their mental health and being in services. Participants views on medication varied but many wanted broader interventions which offered opportunity to talk about their difficulties. Therapeutic relationships with professionals were valued, but participants felt they were not understood because of their culture and race. Participants experienced racism throughout services and proposed a broader conceptualisation of mental health to that which the medical model adopts. Recommendations were made for ways in which services could address these areas.

Empirical Report: Black people are significantly over-represented in inpatient mental health services. Review and research findings demonstrate Black people fear inpatient services and report poor views about their care. There is therefore an evident need to improve the care and therapeutic benefit of inpatient mental health services for Black people. This research study explored Black people’s views of inpatient services and their perceptions of their therapeutic needs. Six Black adults who had experience of inpatient mental health services were interviewed using a semi-structured interview format. Interviews were analysed, which generated three themes. Participants wanted their personal and cultural identity to be recognised, understood, and attended to whilst in inpatient services which helped them to feel cared for. The importance of working together with staff was identified, in which participants wanted to know what was happening with their care and to be offered more opportunities to learn about their mental health and ways of managing it. Meaningful activities were enjoyed and beneficial for all participants. Participants valued connections with aspects of their community including family and religion; and wanted inpatient services to better meet these needs. Recommendations were identified to outline ways in which inpatient mental health services could meet Black people’s needs.