Reaching out to black ethnic minorities: A voluntary sector perspective on mental health

Abstract

Research conducted in Aberdeen with managers, workers, and service users from mental health services in the voluntary sector found very few people from ethnic minorities using such services. National statistics relating to adults from ethnic minorities who have mental health problems (Mind factsheet based on Meitzer et al, 1995) suggested that the potential number of service users from black ethnic minorities would be higher. Although interviewees perceived the existence of barriers to people from black ethnic minorities using the services, they were less able to appreciate the implications of these barriers. There was little awareness that services are provided in an ethnocentric way. The results of the study indicate that people from black ethnic minorities may make little use of the voluntary sector services because of lack of knowledge of their existence and because of invisible cultural barriers. Without positive action the situation seems unlikely to change, and there is a risk that people who may benefit from services are being excluded.