Advancing race equality

Further action is needed to effectively address the significant inequalities black, Asian and ethnic minority communities experience in access, experience and outcomes from mental health services. Black people continue to be more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act and receive more restrictive care in the community than other groups.  Psychological therapy recovery rates are also higher, and deterioration rates lower, among white ethnicities compared to all other ethnicities. Improving the way care is provided for the most marginalised individuals in society means the needs of the wider population will also be better met.

Trust leaders and stakeholders agree that sustaining support for the implementation of the patient and carer race equality framework (PCREF), alongside the wider advancing mental health inequalities strategy, is critical in the short to medium term. PCREF is a highly effective, data-driven tool supporting trusts to, in partnership with their local communities and partners, to address race inequalities. Its methodology holds individuals accountable and brings providers and communities together to better plan and deliver services. It could and should be adopted by other sectors, which would support the government’s broader commitment to tackle racial inequalities.

Trust leaders would welcome ongoing national support to drive effective action on race inequalities, with a particular focus from the government and national bodies on providing challenge, sharing best practice, and holding boards to account. Reform of the Mental Health Act is also a key opportunity, with addressing race inequalities an important reason to reform the Act. In the short to medium term this would help to ensure that race equity receives the ongoing focus it requires. 

The voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector is often uniquely positioned to deliver person- and community-centred care that is culturally competent and trauma-informed. Local and national action is required, focused on securing the sustainability of the VCSE and its role as a strategic partner. This would help maximise the sector’s contribution to tackling race inequalities in mental health services and wider communities.  

To reduce the racial disparities in mental health care, and in turn deliver better care for all, we need to: 

• Sustain support and focus on delivering national ambitions to support local health systems to better address inequalities in access, experience and outcomes of mental health care. 
  
  

• Fully fund and promptly implement reforms to the Mental Health Act, and robustly monitor, report and act on the results indicating race inequalities.

Case study 

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust was an early adopter and pilot site for the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF). The trust worked with Catalyst 4 Change, a community interest company, to recruit and train a team of  advisors and collaborators from African and Caribbean communities to work alongside Trust staff to engage with local communities as part of the Trust's PCREF work. The Trust's work with organisations like Catalyst 4 Change has enabled the development of sustainable community initiatives focused on improving patient and service user access, experiences and outcomes.