Rethink: Racism in the NHS – black people denied therapy

Rethink logo for press releases

Thursday, 22, May 2008 12:00

Talking therapy should be offered to all those who need it, not just specific ethnic groups, mental health charity Rethink has said today as a government survey reveals how people from black and minority ethnic communities are often denied this type of treatment.

The survey, released by the Department of Health, shows that black people are particularly affected by this discrimination although people from all ethnic minorities are less likely to receive talking therapy than white British people.

The findings also expose differences between the various ethnic groups in areas such as:

· The side effects of medication

· Discussion of diagnosis

· How much say they have in their care and treatment

· Trust and confidence in mental health professionals

· Information about support groups

Paul Corry, director of public affairs at mental health charity Rethink, says that the findings highlight how the mental health care received by individuals is often connected to their ethnic background.

“All people with mental health problems should be offered the full range of appropriate treatment options, regardless of ethnicity, age, sexuality, or any other distinguishing factor. Talking therapy can be a life changing experience for people with a range of mental illnesses, and no ethnic group should be denied such a powerful treatment. While we welcome the more positive findings within the report, we feel it is essential that as the government continues to expand provision of psychological therapies it makes equal access a priority.”

Mental health service user Devon Marston adds: “As a man from an Afro-Caribbean background, I really struggled to find a mental health service that suited my culture, something I could really relate to. I felt ostracised. There are plenty of people from minority backgrounds needing mental health services, but if the services out there don’t click with their culture they think it just isn’t applicable to them and they won’t go.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Rethink runs a range of mental health and social care services for people from black and ethnic minority groups.

For an interview with Devon Marston ring the numbers below.

To read the full DH report go to http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsStatistics/DH_084921

For more information contact:

Katie Leason, Media Manager: tel 020 7330 9129, email katie.leason@rethink.org

Hilary Caprani, Senior Media Officer: tel 020 7330 9112 email hilary.caprani@rethink.org

Vicky Trimikliniotis, Media Officer: tel 020 7330 9149 email Vicky.trimikliniotis@rethink.org