Exploring Adult Mental Health in Minority Ethnic Groups in the Royal Borough of Greenwich: Implications of Partnership Working

Abstract

This study examines the perception of the relationship between mental health and ethnicity and looks at partnership working within the adult mental health services in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. To explore these issues, semi-structured one-to-one interviews were conducted with gatekeepers. Secondary data of 212 service users were also collected to further investigate the relationship between ethnicity and mental health. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to carry out this research. Findings from this study revealed that people's perceptions of the relationship between mental health and ethnicity are often biased by society's opinion or their own ethnic heritage, and consequently these perceptions do not correspond with statistical data. Further findings also reveal that providers would need additional information/training to understand partnership working. Findings also highlight the importance of psychoeducation of the wider public in order to reduce the severity of mental health problems among minority ethnic groups, as it was identified by the interviewed gatekeepers that cultural issues (mental health is taboo and/or stigmatised) can hinder individuals from accessing the right services at the right time. This is an explorative study; therefore, further rigorous research approach is needed to establish association between mental health and ethnicity.