Ethnicity & The Mental Health Act: A Service User's Perspective.
Service User Report
Mushwera are currently looking at the issues surrounding members of the BME community who have a dual diagnosis, (substance use issue and mental health diagnosis). As a result of this a peer and myself attended a conference titled: Ethnicity & The Mental Health Act. The conference was a daylong affair hosted by the Ethnic Health Initiative (EHI), in London on 24th May 2010. EHI were formed in 2005 by a group of frontline professionals, working in the field of health & social care. They’re particularly interested in the area of black and minority ethnic communities and health inequalities.
EHI has a number of aims, two of which are raising the profile of cross cultural health matters and to influence national and local policy and good practice guidance development.
The day was spent listening to and questioning various professionals who were deemed ‘experts’ primarily in the fields of psychiatry and the Mental Health Act. The conference concentrated on BME’s diagnosed with schizophrenia, as this diagnosis appears to be particularly prevalent among those from BME communities. The first part of the day was spent listening to two speakers who provided different perspectives as to why this was happening. The first speaker suggested that institutionalised racism is rife within mental health services and that it is this that influences the diagnosis. The second speaker concluded that the cause is primarily, social disadvantage and ‘second generation migration stress’. In my opinion both speakers made valid points.
The afternoon session centred on discussions involving the impact of mental health legislation and how BME communities respond to mental health services, i.e. fear of engaging.
Whilst the day was well organised and informative, it didn’t provide any clear ideas or suggestions in moving forward, or ways in which to encourage and support BME communities to engage with mental health services. The issue of people from BME communities with a dual diagnosis was not discussed/debated.
I have written information from the conference including speaker profiles, topics and contents of their speeches. Should anybody require further information contact Paul Moores on Tel:0117 914 2208 or 07825 315625.
Joe J
Mushwera Peer drop in
Mushwera’s peer led drop in service (Off The Line) has been running now for around 8 months. It has been a great success attracting and supporting many people. Advice, support, signposting, food, clothing, internet/computer use and a place to just chill and chat are on offer. The service runs every Friday, (except bank holidays), and is open from 6pm – 8pm at Nilaari:
Nilaari
184 Stapleton Road
Easton
Bristol
BS5 0NZ
Any enquiries call or text on: 0117 914 2208 or 07825315625
UFO Mushwera dates 2010
All meetings are on a Tuesday between 3pm and 6pm at:
Barton Hill Settlement
43 Ducie Road
Barton Hill
Bristol BS5 0AX
Function Room
Tuesday 8th June
Tuesday 13th July
Tuesday 10th August
Tuesday 14th September
Tuesday 12th October
Tuesday 9th November
Tuesday 14th December
For further information, please call or text Paul Moores on 07825 315625.
Mushwera
Black and Minority Ethnic Group
To download the new Mushwera Flyer, download this link
This group is working to identify and remove barriers stopping or hindering “BME” groups or individuals from accessing drug treatment. We also identify any problems faced whilst in treatment and help to recommend appropriate support and changes that would improve current systems of treatment.
The group has recently renamed itself ‘Mushwera’, which stands for community based action group” in Arabic. The website will shortly reflect this change. It has also developed the following statement:
‘Mushwera is a group of current and ex-drug service users who identify themselves as being from ethnic minority background, working together to influence and improve (in partnership with UFO and Safer Bristol) drug services and the policies behind them.’
Keep your eyes on this page to see how our work progresses.
