Black men speak: making sense of trust in the context of forensic mental health services among Black men in London, UK

Yemane, Faiben (2023). Black men speak: making sense of trust in the context of forensic mental health services among Black men in London, UK. University of Birmingham. Clin.Psy.D.

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Abstract

Background: The Health and Social Care Information Centre (2014) reported that Black and minority ethnic (BME) population have significantly higher access rates to hospital care and longer-term detention compared to the White British population. In the UK, BME communities are often overrepresented in crisis care and have less access to mental health services via primary care, leading to more negative experiences (Jeraj et al., 2015; Rabiee et al., 2014). Additionally, Black men are 40% more likely to access mental health services through the criminal justice system than their white counterparts, (Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2014). While quantitative research highlights the socioeconomic and health disparities experienced by Black men, there is little research on their lived experiences regarding trust in mental health services and appropriate care pathways before involuntary admission.
Methodology: A qualitative Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) research framework was used to explore Black men’s experiences of trust prior to involuntary admission into forensic mental health services. Eight in-depth one-to-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with Black men previously detained under the Mental Health Act (1983; 2007).
Results: Data was organised into six main themes “Life Stresses, Self-reliance, Disillusioned, it didn’t make sense, Invisible and frustrated, and they don’t care”. Themes highlighted participants' experiences and perceptions related to trust, emphasising the interplay between life stresses, individual coping mechanisms, and their interactions with mental health services.
Clinical implications: Findings on Black men’s lived experience of trust before involuntary admission into statutory services can be used to develop culturally-competent mental health care guidelines. Recommendations may include a system-wide approach to tackling bias and acknowledging intersectionality in practice.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Clin.Psy.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Clin.Psy.D.

Supervisor(s):