“In these streets”: the saliency of place in an alternative black mental health resource centre

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore experiences of survivors of the mental health system regularly attending a mental health resource centre predominantly but not exclusively focussed on needs of the BAME community. Design/methodology/approach In total, 25 participants took part in a qualitative research study regarding their experiences of mental health and racism, alternative mental health support and struggles in the local black community. Findings Issues of race, place and space were central to the experiences of BAME mental health survivors. Participants emphasised the importance of place-based support in their everyday life, with the service provided engendering a sense of belonging conducive to coping with various struggles. Race and racism were also central to these daily struggles and the place of Liverpool 8 was at the core of notions of identity and belonging. The space within the centre provided a sanctuary from the combined discriminations and exclusions attendant on being BAME survivors of the mental health system. Practical implications Attention to matters of place and space appears crucial to the articulation of appropriate support. Social implications Place is salient to understanding the intersecting identities/experience of racism and mental health discrimination, constituting the basis for a concept of placism; associated with exclusions from feeling safe and included in everyday public places (including within the black community) with the exception of the welcoming and unconditionally accepting space of the centre. Originality/value This paper is the first to inquire into place-based experiences of alternative black mental health support. Placism is a novel construct that merits further inquiry and theoretical development.

The ontology and epistemology shaping our understanding of inclusion: A critical review of the research literature on disability and inclusion

“…The seventh notable characteristic of the literature was that over a quarter (27.35%) considered the diversity among and between people with disability (see, e.g., Levine et al, 2018; Lorenzo et al, 2015; Pilling et al, 2017; Wainwright et al, 2020). However, there is great variation in the attention paid to the experiences of different communities of people with disability.…”

Black and mixed-heritage boys: desistance through a co-creative Critical Race and postcolonial lens

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“…This Othering is particularly, but not exclusively, experienced by Black and mixedheritage boys who are from socio-economically deprived backgrounds and contested spaces in their everyday lives (Glynn, 2016;Williams and Clarke, 2016;McKeown and Wainwright, 2020). The postcolonial Other provides a lens on the world that positions Black and mixed-heritage boys' experience of their everyday existence as that of estrangements and exclusions from the White world that surrounds them (Fanon, 1967;Glynn, 2016;Wainwright et al, 2019;McKeown and Wainwright, 2020;Wainwright, 2021).…”

“…A change of narrative needs to be initiated whereby there is a flexible package available for communities to work with Black and mixed-heritage boys using methods that are grounded in their realities, familial trauma, of contested spaces, the use of violence, overuse of stop and search by the police and disproportionality throughout the criminal justice system (Glynn, 2016). This could include a comprehensive, flexible and bespoke youth service package that is culturally relevant to the everyday lives of Black and mixed-heritage boys (Wainwright et al, 2019;. For instance, establishing hubs that are centres of the many and ever-changing representations of Black culture, including music and conversations about racism, contested spaces and conflict over drugs, respect and dignity, guns, knives, family and peers.…”

Black Boys’ and Young Men’s Experiences with Criminal Justice and Desistance in England and Wales: A Literature Review

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