Tuning in to race equality in mental health

Abstract

Purpose

The aim is to examine the current state of black and minority ethnic (BME) service user involvement in mental health policy making and commissioning of services, identifying barriers to participation, and potential strategies to enhance BME involvement and ensure more culturally sensitive services.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides an overview of the Dancing To Our Own Tunes report and more recent review which assess progress towards achieving improved BME mental health service user involvement.

Findings

There are a number of barriers affecting the relationships between statutory bodies and user involvement initiatives. These include a lack of BME representation on groups that influence mental health policy and commissioning, along with spending cuts that disproportionately impact on BME mental health service users.

Research limitations/implications

The original report was based upon a consultation with a relatively small number of participants.

Practical implications

Increasing the involvement of diverse service users in policy making and in the design and delivery of mental health services will lead to better quality, more effective and efficient services.

Originality/value

The area of BME service user involvement in the design and delivery of mental health services has hitherto received little attention in the literature.

Citation

Davie, E. (2012), "Tuning in to race equality in mental health", Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Vol. 16 No. 2, pp. 103-107. https://doi.org/10.1108/20428301211232531