In an exclusive op-ed for African Voice, Minister for Mental Health Gillian Keegan said, It’s crucial anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can access the right care at the right time – and their race should never influence the care they receive.
“I know disparities exist in mental health. For example, in 2020-21, black people were over four times more likely than white people to be detained under the Act for a variety of factors.
“I’m determined to tackle the disparities in mental health outcomes.
“Our draft Mental Health Bill will strengthen the patient’s voice by putting people at the centre of their own care and treatment, helping to address poor patient experience among ethnic minority groups.
“We’re also investing £150 million in emergency mental health services to ensure people in crisis can access the right treatment at the right time, such as being taken to crisis houses, rather than to hospital, which will ensure people can access the treatment they need within their community.
“This isn’t a standing start. We have already set up pilots in 4 regions in England – in Manchester, London, Oxfordshire and the West Midlands – to provide independent mental health advocates who can better support the needs of service users from ethnic minority backgrounds.
“NHS England is also setting up a Patient and Carer Race Equalities Framework to help mental health trusts improve the experience of care for people from ethnic minority communities. Last year we also introduced Seni’s law – I met Aji and Conrad, Seni’s parents, and the impact of his death was clearly devastating. We’ve worked together to ensure better accountability and transparency over the use of force in mental health units.
“These reforms are a significant milestone in better supporting those with serious mental health issues, and I urge anyone who needs help to reach out for support – the NHS is here to help 24/7.”
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