This project aims to implement and evaluate community engagement systems for people from ethnic minority communities to improve access to mental health care.
There is a much higher prevalence of psychosis spectrum disorders in ethnic minority populations, specifically in Black Caribbean and Black African populations in England: the 2014 prevalence report found >4xs greater prevalence of psychosis in Black men (3.2%). This elevated prevalence is particularly pronounced in people of Black Caribbean descent. Unmet treatment needs are 7xs higher in people with psychosis compared with the rest of the population; mental health care pathways are fraught for Black populations, and disproportionately involve the police.
To select the key interventions in each topic area, a co-produced prioritisation exercise with local ARCs, Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs), patient groups, and provider organisations will be conducted.
Researchers will use a number of clinical and implementation outcome measures to measure the impact of the project:
• Number of people from ethnic minority communities accessing mental health services
• Extent to which champions from ethnic minority communities are involved in the community engagement system
• Acceptability of the intervention for service users and service providers
• Number of staff trained in delivering culturally acceptable psychological services.
• Number of linkages from mental health trusts to community centres and charities.
Increased access to mental healthcare service systems for people from ethnic minority communities.
In March 2024, the MHIN team held a webinar on findings from the first phase of this project: improving access to mental health services for minority ethnic communities. Find out more and watch a recording
