We believe Black Lives Matter and black mental health matters. Today, we have publicly shared our support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
In mental health – as in other areas of life – there is a huge disparity in how black people are listened to and supported at every level. People from black and minority ethnic (BAME) groups living in the UK are more likely to:
· be diagnosed with mental health problems
· be diagnosed and admitted to hospital
· experience a poor outcome from treatment
· disengage from mainstream mental health services, leading to social exclusion and a deterioration in their mental health.
At Mid Kent Mind we want to stand up to and challenge inequality, prejudice and social injustice. Years of oppression and disadvantage have impacted detrimentally on the mental health of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities.
The Coronavirus outbreak has disproportionately affected BAME groups and now, more than ever, we need to ensure we not only uncover the systems that contribute to prejudice and oppression, but to ensure we provide the right services for people from a BAME background in the right way, by the right people, and at the right time.
