Research Paper on Exploring Mental Health Among BAME Communities: Assessing the Impact of Government Initiatives

Introduction

This paper aims to assess the impact of government strategies that are adopted in the move to manage mental health issues among the Black and minority communities in the United Kingdom. Details on the prevalence levels of mental health issues will also be highlighted. The disparities that exist in the way that the problem is handled by various communities is an indication that necessary measures need to be put in place if the right solution is to be realized. The prevalence of mental health issues among minority communities in the United Kingdom is the primary aim of this study.

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This paper will also review the impacts of strategies and policies adopted by the authorities pertaining to mental health issues. Mental health issues affect many people around the world and are often caused by disorders such as mood disorders (Holden et Al., 2014). Mental health problems can be manifested in different ways, such as depression, eating disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders. In the United Kingdom, the Black and other minority communities form a significant percentage of the total number of mental health issues reported in the UK. As such, government authorities in the UK have continually implemented various mental health policies and measures towards reducing the prevalence of mental health issues among the minority groups and the general population (Semlyen, King, Varney and Hagger-Johnson 2016: 67).

Background and Rationale

A study carried out by Reynolds (2017), reveals that one in four people in the UK has suffered from a mental illness at one point in their lives. Based on a study of a sample population of 5,000 adults, researchers found out that around 25% of the sample population have experienced mental health issues at a given point in their lifetime (Reynolds, 2017). According to the study, 18% of the adults who had experienced mental health issues were not medically diagnosed (Reynolds, 2017). Depression is the most common mental illness diagnosed in the UK. Oher mental health issues often diagnosed include phobias, anxiety, schizophrenia, and eating disorders, among other related diseases (Reynolds, 2017). According to the study, individuals backgrounds are one of the significant factors associated with a high number of mental issues in the country. People living in low-income backgrounds were likely to be diagnosed with the illness in comparison to the people in high-income backgrounds. Around 27% of men in low-income backgrounds are reported to have experienced mental illness, compared to 15% in high-income areas. Further, 42% of women in low-income backgrounds were found to have experienced mental illness, compared to 25% of women in high income (Reynolds, 2017).

The study also indicated that in general, BAME communities were four times more likely to be diagnosed with mental health problems; they were three times more likely to be admitted, and three times more likely to experience poor outcomes from treatment (Reynolds, 2017). According to the Mental Health Foundation, African-Carribean people are more likely to be introduced to mental health services by the authorities rather than from primary care. As such, up to 20% of the total number of patients treated is usually under compulsory orders. In terms of specific conditions, the prevalence of anxiety and depression among South-Asian women is 63.5% as compared to 28.5% among white women (Memon et al., 2016). When it comes to psychotic disorders, that rate is 3.1% among Afro-Carribean men as compared to 0.2% of their white counterparts (Memon et al., 2016). In 2010, BAME communities accounted for 23% of the total mental health admission cases, while another research in 2015 showed that they were 50% more likely to be placed in seclusion (Memon et al., 2016),

The patterns were also noted in other individuals, such as those who are excessively dependent on drugs and alcohol. Drugs and alcohol abuse are among the major factors that trigger mental illnesses among various communities living in the United Kingdom. Mental health issues have been worsened by the stigma arising from the general population in the UK. For instance, several studies carried out by various researchers indicate that a significant number of individuals claimed they have fears on whether they can trust women who had been diagnosed with mental illness as baby sitters (Holden et Al., 2014, p.57). The society's attitude towards those suffering from mental illnesses is a significant determinant of the prevalence of mental diseases in different communities (Holden et Al., 2014, p.57). The study further indicates that people living in low-income areas are less responsive to individuals with mental issues, meaning that the chances of treatment are low. In high-income regions, the patients are usually taken to the healthcare settings once the signs of the problem are detected, and this tends to reduce the prevalence of the problem (Holden et Al., 2014). One of the strategies that have been undertaken by the authorities to solve the problem is awareness creation through campaigns, and this has made it possible for mental health issues to be recognized and addressed as early as possible (Arday, 2018, p.167). Some of the campaigns that have been used include the Time to Change drive. Other studies have been conducted regarding this topic, and statistical evidence has been provided to enable the researcher to make conclusions.

In societies with high rates of discrimination and stigmatization on people suffering from mental illnesses, the healing processes are significantly slowed down compared to communities where there are minimal discrimination and stigmatization of people suffering from psychological issues. A high level of public stigma translates to a high likelihood of self-stigma by the victim, high rates of unemployment, increased suicide rates, reduction on the number of persons seeking help on matters regarding the treatment of mental problems among other adverse effects. All these factors trigger a rise in the health inequalities in society, based on religious affiliation, gender, or ethnic background (Wallace, Nazroo & Becares, 2016). The campaign duped Time to Change is one of the most extensive programs in the United Kingdom that is aimed at finding a sustainable solution to mental health illnesses, discrimination, and stigmatization among the minority groups, especially Black Africans and Caribbean communities.

In an article titled, "Effect of the Time to Change Anti-stigma Campaign on Trends in Mental-illness related Public Stigma Among the English Population in 2003-13: An Analysis of Survey Data," a study was done to determine the effect of one of the campaigns that were undertaken to manage mental problems. According to the author, a study was done, and the data used to determine the effectiveness of the campaign was for the period 2003 to 2013 and the details provided were regarding the support for the community care, tolerance, as well as, the attitude items that were related to the exclusion and prejudice (Evans-Lacko et al., 2014, p.123). The number of persons involved in the study every year was 1,700 individuals, an increase in positive attitude on prejudice and exclusion after the program was detected, as shown below in figure1. It is evident that the campaign process was sufficient, and it eventually led to the realization of a positive attitude among the study population who initially held a negative position towards those suffering from mental health issues. However, the author notes that the positive attitude held in the community was likely to deteriorate as soon as the anti-stigma programs are withdrawn or in cases of economic hardships.

Figure 1. Population attitude trends across England 2003 - 2013 (Evans-Lacko et al., 2014)

The topic of the impact of the strategies adopted by the UK authorities towards handling the mental illness patients of Caribbean and African descent is in line with the subject of study in various ways. The research process makes it possible to understand the prevalence of the problem in modern-day society. Additionally, it makes it possible to understand the measures that have been taken by the government concerning the management of mental health issues among the various ethnic communities (Aggarwal et al., 2016, p.203). The social, economic, and financial background of individuals with mental problems has been identified to have an influence on the society's attitude towards the victims and the way mental health issues are managed by the community at large. The measures that can be adopted to help resolve the problem can only achieve the desired objective if they can effectively identify the specific mental health issue in society, access its prevalence and the significant factors that trigger its existence (Mindell et al., 2014, p.1137). The primary goal of this study is to understand the effects of the strategies undertaken by the government to solve the numerous mental issues in the UK. The impacts of the government strategies can either be negative or positive, and there is, therefore, a need to understand how the positive outcomes are sustained and how the adverse consequences are managed. Having an understating of the facts that are associated with mental health issues among the Caribbean and African communities in the UK will be critical in finding a solution to the matter at hand.

In most of the cases, it is expected that the measures that are adopted in ending the healthcare inequalities lead to positive outcome among the Caribbean and the black Africans based in the United Kingdom. When the steps are implemented in the right way, the authorities will realize the desired goals, but adequate resources need to be used for the process to achieve the desired goals. The prevalence of the problems in these two communities is high, and this is triggered by various factors, such as depression and the difficulties in life that are due to economic and financial problems.

Aims and Objectives

The critical objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of the UK government strategies in handling the mental health issues in marginalized communities such as the Black Africans and Caribbean communities living in the UK. What needs to be achieved in this study is to have an understanding of the impacts that arise from the strategies taken by the UK authorities in their move to manage the mental health issues among the Caribbean and black Africans in the country. Knowing the prevalence of the problem in the UK will be critical in understanding the measures to take and handle the problem effectively. The objectives of this study include:

• To determine the frequency of mental issues among the Caribbean and Black African communities in the United Kingdom.
• To analyze the effects of mental health problems among Carribean and Black African communities in the United Kingdom.
• To explore the factors related to mental issues among the above-stated communities.
• To assess the impact of the various mental health strategies adopted by t...