In 1982, Arvind Pandya undertook an extraordinary 400km backward run from Mumbai to the Siddhi Vinayak temple to pray for Amitabh Bachchan's recovery after an accident on the set of the film "Coolie." His feat earned him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Pandya extended his philanthropic efforts, travelling from Los Angeles to New York to collect funds for the Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation, aiding cancer patients. He also ran in the UK for various charitable causes, including mental health, with support from ABPL Chief CB Patel. Asian Voice has been involved in numerous mental health campaigns and collaborations, notably with Lord Rix, a key figure in the Mencap movement advocating for individuals with learning disabilities. These examples demonstrate the community's resilience in overcoming challenges.
As the festive season approaches and 2023 draws to a close, mental health remains paramount, especially amidst the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, health emergencies, and social challenges. However, a recent report highlights disparities in accessing NHS mental health services for Black, Asian, and minority ethnic individuals compared to their white counterparts. The report, titled "Ethnic Inequalities in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies," is based on a decade of anonymised patient data from the NHS Talking Therapies program, which aims to improve mental health service access. In 2021-22, over 1.2 million people utilized these services, to assist 1.9 million people in England with anxiety or depression by 2024.
The study reveals that individuals from black and minority ethnic backgrounds were less likely to attend treatment sessions after GP referrals and experienced poorer treatment outcomes, particularly for South Asian individuals. Longer waiting times and reduced referral rates further compound these disparities, with a correlation to areas characterised by higher levels of deprivation and unemployment, particularly among Bangladeshi individuals.
Satwinder Kaur, a lived experience representative, stressed the importance of addressing cultural sensitivities within therapy. While acknowledging the merits of her 12-week program and supportive clinician, she highlighted the need to tackle cultural disconnect, stigma, and trust issues that ethnic minority individuals may encounter during therapy.
Baroness Kate Lampard launched a statutory public inquiry investigating the deaths of up to 2,000 mental health in-patients in NHS Trusts in Essex. The inquiry can now compel NHS staff to provide testimony or face potential arrest. It aims to enhance mental health inpatient care and may extend its terms of reference to include cases until the end of this year. Families of the deceased hope it will bring about change, transparency, and improved services in mental health care settings.
Professor Raghu Raghavan addressed the impact of stigma on South Asian individuals' access to mental health services, underscoring the role of culture in shaping perceptions. Longer wait times and poorer recovery outcomes for Black, Asian, and minority ethnic individuals result from mental health services' neglect of their needs. Language barriers deter South Asian patients from seeking help, necessitating culturally sensitive approaches. Professor JS Bamrah calls for NHS reforms, targeted funding, cultural competency training, and stigma reduction. Mohammed Sbahuddin Rafiuddin's mental health campaign aims to empower Asian, African, and ethnic minority communities, advocating for open conversations and awareness. Alcoholism and mental health issues in the UK's Punjabi Sikh community are on the rise, highlighting the need for culturally appropriate services.
Let go of stigma and shame
Addressing this issue, Professor Raghu Raghavan, Professor of Mental Health, De Montfort University told the newsweekly, “Stigma and shame are major contributing factors as to why South Asian individuals and families do not access mental health services. South Asians are experiencing the worst outcomes from MH services as they may not adhere to the treatment approaches for a longer period due to the stigma. The side effects of the medication are another issue as they do not get adequate explanations about this from services, and in many cases, they may not seek explanations as they feel they lack the confidence to communicate these matters with mental health professionals.”
Culture plays a pivotal role in shaping how different ethnic groups perceive and experience mental health, says Raghavan. Longer waiting times and poorer recovery outcomes for Black, Asian, and minority ethnic individuals are linked to mental health services not prioritizing their needs. Many South Asian patients can't effectively express their need for mental health support due to language barriers. They often seek help only during a crisis when family support becomes insufficient. Raghavan stresses that culturally sensitive approaches are crucial in psychiatric and mental health services, urging service commissioners and professionals to abandon the one-size-fits-all approach in favour of culturally competent and integrative strategies when working with diverse ethnic backgrounds.
Light at the end of the tunnel
Professor JS Bamrah, Co-Chair of the Mental Health Advisory Group at the Race and Health Observatory, highlighted key issues for our readers regarding ethnic inequalities in accessing mental health services. He underscores the lack of cultural awareness within many mental health providers, discouraging individuals from seeking help. This, coupled with past negative experiences, contributes to a pervasive sense of alienation within ethnic minority communities. Prof. Bamrah emphasised the need for reforms in the NHS to account for the multicultural nature of society, targeted funding to address mental health disparities, better training for NHS leaders, engagement with community and faith leaders, and cultural competency training for front-line staff. He also stressed the urgency of tackling stigma within these communities. While progress is being made, he believes that open conversations about structural and racial disparities, especially during festive seasons, should not overshadow the challenges faced by low-income families, with a direct link between poverty and mental illness, necessitating support from statutory and voluntary services.
Aspiring lawyer initiates bold mental health campaign for the Asian community
Mohammed Sbahuddin Rafiuddin, a resilient trainee lawyer from Watford, has initiated an innovative mental health campaign, urging his community to join the effort. He envisions a world where mental health is a fundamental human right, akin to privacy and a fair trial. Through "Mohammed's Mental Health Campaign," he aims to break the stigma surrounding mental health by promoting open conversations, focusing on awareness and education, especially within Asian, African, and ethnic minority communities. As someone of Kashmiri origin, he recognises the taboos in these communities and seeks to provide representation. His three-step mental health mission includes empowerment, improved care, education, and awareness, leading to a comprehensive five-point action plan. This plan encompasses ensuring mental well-being for all, increased funding for research and services, public health campaigns, and stigma eradication.
A study by Lancaster University, King's College London, the University of Liverpool, and Edge Hill University explores the connection between alcohol use and mental health in the UK's minority ethnic groups. The research uncovers varying associations between alcohol and mental health in different ethnic groups, highlighting the need for integrated mental health and alcohol services and culturally appropriate support.
Alcoholism and mental health
Alcoholism in the UK's Punjabi Sikh community, long shrouded in stigma, is gradually being unveiled as more people share their experiences and seek assistance. The UK's alcohol abuse rates have been exacerbated, with 31% of drinkers exceeding recommended limits, according to Drinkaware research. Although data gathering is crucial for addiction services, there's a lack of information on how alcoholism affects ethnic minorities. Official UK statistics don't break down alcoholism by ethnicity, creating a significant knowledge gap. Alcohol Change UK emphasises that problematic alcohol use may be underestimated in Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) communities. Alcohol problems and mental ill health are closely linked. Research shows that people who drink alcohol are more likely to develop mental health problems. It's also true that people with severe mental illness are more likely to have alcohol problems.
