A NEW report from Mind in Berkshire has shown that there are serious deficits in mental health support and access for Black people.
The charity, which provides support, advice, and signposting for mental health services in Berkshire, was commissioned to examine Black people’s access to necessary services.
It came as part of a wider drive from the Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to address inequalities in local services.
Data from between 2021 and 2023 showed that Black people were over three times more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act than their white counterparts in Berkshire.
It drew on feedback from more than 180 people, following engagement from members of local Black communities, organisations, and staff.
It found that there was a perception of systemic racial bias at both national and local levels, supplemented by experiences of poor treatment and outcomes for Black individuals using mental health services
It also found stigma surrounding mental health within some Black communities, as part of the impact of intergenerational trauma and mistrust in services
It showed that there was not only a need for greater cultural awareness and representation within the mental health workforce but also showed the importance of early education and preventative approaches to mental wellbeing.
It further recognised a need to build stronger, more collaborative relationships between services and Black communities.
The report recommended that the Trust should work on increasing awareness and respect of the deep-seated mistrust of public services, while embedding ‘meaningful’ patient and carer feedback mechanisms.
Jess Willsher & Joel Rose, Co-CEOs of Mind in Berkshire said: “This report, a product of our collective efforts, represents an important step in understanding the experiences and perspectives of Black communities in Berkshire about mental health services.
“We are grateful to everyone who contributed so openly to this engagement. It is important that these findings now lead to constructive and collaborative change, across the system, so that disparities are reduced and experiences improve.”
Dr. Kathryn MacDermott, SRO of the Mental Health Act Detentions Project at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Nationally and within Berkshire, Black people are disproportionately more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act 1983.
“For the last two years Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have had a dedicated Mental Health Act Detention project which aims to understand and address these long-standing racial inequalities.
“At the heart of this project are lived experience and community voices.”
She explained: “We commissioned Mind in Berkshire to engage with people with lived experience, community members and staff to gain an in-depth insight of Black communities’ perspectives and people/families that have experienced detention(s).
“We welcome the findings of the report and will continue to work with Mind in Berkshire, embedding learnings from the report within the ongoing work we are doing.”
“Alongside Mind in Berkshire, we have also collaborated and engaged with a range of stakeholders including NHS Race and Health Observatory, Thames Valley Police, Slough Borough Council, Council for Voluntary Service – Slough (CVS) and Alliance of Cohesion and Racial Equality – Reading (ACRE).
“You can find out more about our work together on the Trust’s website.
“Berkshire Healthcare Hosts Mental Health Act Detentions All-Partnership Conference | Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust”
A full copy of the report is available to read via: mindinberkshire.org.uk/about-us/our-projects
Mind in Berkshire is a partnership between two mental health charities, Oxfordshire Mind and Buckinghamshire Mind, working to increase mental health support for people across Berkshire.
More information about Mind in Berkshire is available via: bucksmind.org.uk
