Asian in-patient and carer views of mental health care. Asian views of mental health care

Abstract

Qualitative interviews were carried out with 24 Asian in-patients and carers to gain insight into their experiences of mental health services. The term 'Asian' was problematic and respondents sometimes emphasised that although Asian, they might also be British and practise a variety of religions. Issues raised were frequently relevant to psychiatric patients in general but several important areas of concern relating specifically to religious and cultural differences such as food, washing facilities and privacy emerged. There was also a perceived lack of communication between both patients and carers with professionals. There was little evidence that these patients either somatised their problems, disagreed with their diagnosis and the appropriateness of receiving medication or considered that there was excessive stigma associated with receiving psychiatric treatment. However, they preferred the terms 'depression' or 'behavioural problems' to mental illness. Respondents requested more than one type of therapy to include both medical and additional treatments such as psychotherapy or herbalism.