Mental Health among Minority Ethnic Groups

Statistics show that in England and Wales, nearly one in five people are from a Black, Asian
and minority ethnic (BAME) background. These groups face challenges such as racism,
stigma and inequalities affect the mental health of these groups. Popularly called BAME,
these community groups of people face challenges because of their ethnicity.

Differences in rates of mental ill health among BAME

communities
Research shows that the rates of mental health problems among BAME groups can be
higher than for White people. Reasons given are:

 Black men are more likely to have experienced a psychotic disorder in the last year
than White men
 Black people are four times more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act
than White people
 Older South Asian women are an at-risk group for suicide
 Refugees and Asylum seekers are more likely to experience mental health problems
than the general population, including higher rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD
 Irish people living in the UK, (though not a BAME group), have much higher hospital
admission rates for mental health problems than other ethnic groups. They have
higher rates of depression and alcohol problems and are at greater risk of suicide.

Some groups have better mental health. For example:

 people of Indian, Pakistani, and African-Caribbean origin showed higher levels of

mental wellbeing than other ethnic groups
 suicidal thoughts and self-harm were less common in Asian people than White
people.
 mental ill-health is lower among Chinese people than White people.

However, given these statistics, it is important to note that they might not reflect the true
extent of mental health problems among BAME groups. This is because not much data is
available, and also because BAME people may be less likely to report mental health
problems.

Things that can affect the mental health of BAME

communities?
Racism, inequalities, and mental health stigma may affect your mental health.

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Racism and discrimination

Racism can range from micro-aggressions (this can be subtle but offensive
comments,) to explicit hurtful words to verbal or physical aggression. Experiencing
racism can be very stressful and this can have a negative effect on your overall
health and your mental well-being.

Being exposed to racism may increase your likelihood of experiencing mental health
problems such as psychosis and depression.

Social and economic inequalities

People from Black and Minority Ethnic communities often face disadvantages in
society, and they are more likely to:

 experience poverty and homelessness

 do less well at school or underachieve
 be unemployed
 be in contact with the criminal justice system
 face challenges accessing services.

Each of these can increase the risk of developing mental health problems.

Mental health stigma

Different communities understand and talk about mental health in different ways.

Some communities accept the idea that mental illness are health problems that need
treatment. But in other communities, there is a serious stigma that implies a mental
health problem is a sign of weakness (spiritual and personal, a character flaw) and
should be kept hidden from others.

Beliefs about mental illness are formed through several factors e.g. cultural
traditions, formal education and through experience. Stories from friends and family
may play a role in this.

Among some communities, mental health problems are rarely recognised or spoken
about. They may be seen as shameful or embarrassing. For example, if someone
with mental illness commits a crime it could become stigmatised to suggest that
mad people are criminals. This can discourage people from talking about their
mental health or going to their GP for help. There are many cultural factors and
social pressures and stereotypes that may perpetuate beliefs about mental health in
the BAME community.

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Barriers to support faced by BAME communities
Research shows that BAME people can face barriers to getting help, including:

 Systemic racism and the lack of culturally sensitive treatment by providers

 not recognising they have a mental illness because mental health was stigmatised as
a moral and spiritual defect or never talked about in their community
 not knowing that help is available, or where to go to get it
 language barriers
 turning to family or friends rather than professional support, especially for people
who don’t trust formal healthcare services believing they don’t understand them
from a cultural point of view
 financial barriers, such as paying for private counselling. BAME are two times more
likely to report serious psychological distress than those living above the poverty line
 not feeling listened to or understood by healthcare professionals
 White professionals not understanding their traumatic experiences of racism or
discrimination and inequality
 A lack of access to culturally competent care
 Black individuals are also more likely to be misdiagnosed by treatment providers ,
which can fuel a mistrust in mental health professionals, as this can lead to poor
treatment outcomes
 Based on the disparities Blacks are more likely to have involuntary treatment
(whether forced inpatient or outpatient treatment). This contributes to the stigma,
hostility, and lack of willingness to voluntarily seek help

Breaking Down the Stigma

Breaking down barriers and reducing stigma could increase the chance of individuals with
mental health issues, seeking treatment. It is likely to involve increasing the number of
culturally competent providers and also changing the narrative surrounding mental illness.
Culturally competent therapists and psychiatrists could help ease mistrust and provide
better care.
If you are experiencing a decline in your mental health or you suspect you may have
symptoms of a mental illness, reach out to someone You might start by talking to your
doctor about treatment options. Additionally, if you suspect a loved one is experiencing a
mental health issue, talk to them. Be open in conversations about mental health, this can
help break down the stigma and encourage more people to get help.
At Connectedminds.ai there is help available for depression, and also from an intercultural
perspective. Why not talk to us today?

Roselle Thompson,
Behaviour and Intercultural Therapist